Red Cross holds blood drive
Community gives blood and takes back healthy knowledge at MCCC wellness event
It was a Wellness Wednesday recently at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus in Pottstown when the school hosted a blood drive that also provided information to the public about various health topics.
Amy Auwaerter, the MCCC associate dean of student services, said the American Red Cross reached out to the college and everyone involved felt the blood drive would be a good way to give back to the community.
“We were super excited to find out that for every pint of blood that’s donated, we can save three lives,” Auwaerter said.
Auwaerter said the school’s capacity goal for blood donated was reached when all 42 donation spots were filled.
Alaina Mauger, the communications manager for American Red Cross Blood Services, said the MCCC central campus in Blue Bell has hosted several blood drives but it had been awhile since once was organized at the Pottstown campus.
“It’s exciting to be back in Pottstown. We are the blood supplier for Pottstown Hospital and Phoenixville Hospital, so it makes sense that the blood we collect does stay in our region,” she said.
Mauger said the college had a great turnout and the combined wellness fair was a great idea.
The drive happened during a very critical time for the American Red Cross. Mauger said challenges such as weather has made it difficult recently to get donated blood.
“There was an emergency blood shortage for a long time. We’re still in a very urgent need. There’s a critical need for type O blood,” she said.
She said there are even some hospitals that have less than a three-day supply of blood which is why it’s so important to educate people about the importance of giving.
“It’s really important to donate. There’s no substitute for voluntarily donated blood. It can’t be manufactured so we really encourage people to come out and give blood if they are able,” Mauger said.
Along with giving blood, attendees of the community event visited the many information tables present as part of the wellness fair.
A diabetic education table informed people about an upcoming free program available to those at risk of becoming type 2 diabetics.
Debra Zlomek is a registered nurse and the parent education coordinator for the Pottstown Medical Specialist Inc., often referred to as PMSI.
“PMSI has an accredited diabetes program and we also have a diabetes prevention program that we’re doing,” she said.
The free program will help people prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Participants work with a lifestyle coach for a year.
“Diabetes is a progressive disease and when you are diagnosed with diabetes, you are at least two to three and sometimes four times at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease,” Zlomek said.
Shreya Patel, a dietitian with Morrison Healthcare at Pottstown Hospital, is the lifestyle coach for the diabetes program. She said participants will begin by setting healthy goals and then will spend the year reviewing 26 topics with the goal of achieving overall wellness.
The diabetes prevent program is held Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the PMSI administration building located at 1601 Medical Drive in Pottstown. People interested in the program are encouraged to attend the class.
For more information, contact Zlomek at 484-318-0566 or email dzlomek@pmsiforlife.com.
The Pottstown YMCA had a table to discuss its programs and opportunities available to the public.
Logan Finerfrock, Pottstown YMCA senior program director, said she wants the community to be aware of the recent renovations the facility has undergone and new classes that were added to the group exercise schedule.
There is now “Strong by Zumba” which is a high intensity interval exercise class. Family Zumba classes are offered on Fridays.
Pottstown YMCA members can use the Child Watch program which provides two hours of free childcare, so parents have the time to exercise.
MCCC students with an adult membership can also use the Child Watch service while they attend classes.
The wellness fair even had therapy dogs for people to interact with.
Auwaerter said therapy dogs have visited the campus before such as during finals week. She said there was a time when a student was having a rough morning but by the afternoon that student was happily petting the therapy dog.
“The dog brightened her day,” she said.
Diane Raspen and her Labrador-mix Jack are certified through the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs Inc.
Raspen said therapy dogs get people to smile and she has seen them help patients with Alzheimer’s.
“They (the patients) all will tell you a story about their dog … it brings them back to something that they remember,” she said.
The wellness event also included healthy lifestyle tips from Tower Health, Information about suicide prevention, free vision screenings, healthcare options for veterans and more.
There were several tables with information about MCCC programs such as the Culinary Arts Institute, Pharmacy Technician and Medical Coding Programs and the new Nurse Aid Training Certification Program.
Lori Spiezio is a registered nurse and the manager of the new nurse aid program.
“We actually have our first class of Pottstown starting on Monday which is exciting,” Spiezio said.
She said the program is a foundation for those that are interested in the healthcare field but aren’t sure of the specific profession. She said students that complete the program can work as a certified nurse aid such as at a long-term care facility or at a hospital.
The MCCC west campus is planning to have another blood drive in June with a goal of hosting one every quarter.
For more information about the college, visit www.mc3.edu/ choosing-montco/our-camuses/ west-campus.