Health Matters
February 2018 Newsletter
Feb. 14 is National Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. Every day, 22 Americans die waiting for a transplant that could have saved their lives—that's about 8,000 people per year, according to Nebraska Organ Recovery. To become an organ donor, sign up on the donor registry of Nebraska and make sure you tell your loved ones of your decision.

Another way to make a difference and give the gift of life is to donate blood. According to the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, approximately one in three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, and nearly everyone knows a family member or close friend who has had a blood transfusion. Approximately 38% of the general population is eligible to donate blood, which can make a difference for those who are served by several of the 22 CHC-NE member charities.
  • Premature infants undergoing heart surgery require blood from donors of all types, especially type O.
  • Those undergoing lung, kidney and other organ transplants might need blood during surgery.
  • Cancer patients may require platelet and blood transfusions to continue treatment and survive.
  • People living with hemophilia may require clotting factors derived from blood donations.

Click here to see if you are eligible to donate.
Medical Research Update
Study Increasing Kidney Function
Kidney disease affects about 10% of the population, but new treatments have been few and far between over the last four decades. That is why a new compound, developed by a team at UNMC, is garnering some excitement during its animal-testing phase. The results included increased kidney function after treatment by AC 1903. While the testing focused on chronic and genetic forms of kidney disease, such as those caused by obesity and diabetes, the researchers hope that it will have similar impact on non-genetic forms.
Story of Caring
Blood Donations Help During Treatment
Jenn learned firsthand about the importance of donating blood after receiving treatment for her breast cancer. Jenn did 20 weeks of chemotherapy, during which she had to have blood transfusions. “The thing about chemo is that it doesn’t only impact the cancer cells, it impacts everything—red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets; everything just gets depleted. I got to the point not once, but twice where my body was so worn and beaten that I couldn’t receive chemotherapy, and I had to spend 6 or 7 hours at the hospital receiving a blood transfusion instead. They needed my body to recover fast enough to continue the necessary treatment to kill the cancer.”
It's Easy to Support CHC-NE!
It's easy to support the health charities you care about! 
  • Participate in a workplace giving campaign in Omaha, Lincoln or Greater Nebraska. If your workplace doesn't currently support a campaign, contact us to see how to start one.
  • Use this AmazonSmile link when shopping to support Community Health Charities of Nebraska with your purchases.
  • Remember CHC-NE in your planned giving.
  • Make a donation through our web site and give the gift of health! We appreciate your support!
Find us Online!
Visit www.chcne.org for our calendar of events , keep up on the latest news during the month and learn more about our 22 member charities . To learn more about us, access our annual report here .