Blood Drive Petition
Dear Editor: Bring the Blood Bank of Alaska back to Sitka!
It’s been over 10 years since the last blood drive was held in Sitka. To make this blood drive a success we need 150 committed donors to host another blood drive in our area. Blood Bank of Alaska provides blood products to 21 hospitals, medical centers and military bases throughout Alaska, including Sitka. Less than 1.9 percent of eligible donors give blood with no substitute for human blood products. Each pint of blood has the potential to save up to three lives.
To donate you must eat and drink plenty before donation, bring a photo identification, and feel well and healthy. Donors age 16 and 17 will need a parental consent form completed before donation. Donors between the age of 74 and 80 must provide physician approval before donation. A donor is eligible to donate again after 56 days. If you have questions about your ability to donate because of diabetes, blood pressure, past cancer conditions, tattoos, piercings, or other concerns, please contact the Blood Bank of Alaska to check your eligibility at 907-222-5630.
The donation process is typically a 35-45 minute process. This includes a medical history questionnaire, mini physical (pulse, blood pressure, temperature and hematocrit test), and the blood donation. After your donation there are plenty of delicious cookies and snacks to enjoy.
You can help the Blood Bank of Alaska’s mission to help Alaska patients in need by collecting signatures from committed donors at your workplace, corporation, church, school, clubs, service organizations, non-profits, volunteers or other individuals wanting to get involved. Share this information and you too can be an everyday hero and save lives in Alaska. Remember, one in three Alaskans will need blood in their lifetime – you can make a difference!
If you have any questions, contact me at 608-604-4592, Pat at 412-670-0428, or the Blood Bank of Alaska, 907-222-5630.
Jean Frank, Sitka
PHS Bootcamp
Dear Editor: To the strong minds and bodies of Sitka: a love letter from Pacific High School.
After two grueling weeks of Pacific High Bootcamp, we are enjoying the calm relaxation of reflective in-class work. We would wholeheartedly like to thank our community for its donation of time, energy, sweat and love.
Thank you to Franni Donohoe of Sitka Cirque for the “tremendously enjoyable” session on silks, trapeze, and lyra. Thank you to Chad Goeden, Brandon Viator and Eric Spitzer at the Department of Public Safety for counting our pushups, sit-ups, and mile run; we couldn’t believe we made it through. Bridger Williams at Hames led a RockFit session in which we learned how to perform the perfect front squat and competed to make each other execute burpees.
Trisha Bessert ran a rigorous gymnastics warm-up and allowed us time to play on uneven bars, balance beam, and all things bouncy and springy. Tara and Cody Johnston opened up the Kronos Ninja Warrior Gym where we became obsessed with the 14-foot, 6-inch, warped wall; three of us conquered it and proudly signed the top.
Luarinda Marcello introduced us to karate and Emily Reilly stretched us out with a solid yoga session. Two grueling days were spent with Matt Silvious, Rich Parra, Chris Austin and Anthony Puglia of the United States Coast Guard. We have never swam/run so many miles, completed so many pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups, sprints, slam ball, box jumps, and squats as we did with “encouragement” from the aforementioned men. One of us claims that he is still sore.
We capped our bootcamp with a lovely mindfulness session led by Dr. Cindy Westergaard. “It’s so peaceful,” one of us reflected, “I think we should do this every day before class.”
As a teacher, I was beyond impressed with the patience, fortitude, care and support that each instructor offered my students. You all made a significant impact on the lives of these students and have inspired them to continue working hard. Though we may have considered giving up at times, you never gave up on us (tip of the hat to Richie, Chris, Matt and Anthony).
Thank you, again, for helping us become stronger and healthier in mind, body, and spirit.
Pacific High School:
Hillary Seeland, Caleb Meyer, Mason Richter, Cristian Baker, Korbin Tugman, Vanna Scarbrough, K’eet Dundas
Dinner Night
Dear Editor: The Baranof Barracudas Swim Club would like to thank Sizzling Chow for their recent generosity in hosting a dinner night out with BBSC! The donation to the club comes with many, many thanks from our swimmers, coaches and the BBSC board. Thank you for your contribution and your commitment to the community of Sitka.
BBSC Board of Directors,
Kevin Knox, President,
Mike Scarcelli, Head Coach
