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8 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, July 6, 2007 AUDITIONS FOR STAGE! "Communicating Doors" by Alan Ayckbourn 33 Stewarttown Rd., Georgetown Monday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. and Monday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. Mature Theme, reading from Script All Ladies from 20-50 yrs. & All Gentlemen from 30-60 yrs Welcomed, to participate! For more info see www.georgetownlittletheatre.ca ***For appointment tel 905·877·3422 for Frances Smolders and Larry Sikkema STAG and DOE at the Georgetown Optimist Club between Georgetown & Acton on Hwy 7 Dance at 7:30 Tickets $10 Food, Raffles & Prizes SATURDAY, JULY 7 Emergency workers sound siren to meet summer blood challenge DAVID LEA Special to The IFP Halton's police, fire and emergency services personnel are no strangers when it comes to saving lives, but this summer they're going above and beyond the call of duty to help more people by donating blood. The three groups are participating in the Canadian Blood Services third annual Sirens for Life blood donor challenge, which is charged with reaching 1,300 units of donated blood by Sept. 3. "It's really a partnership around saving lives because for the Canadian Blood Services that is our mandate by providing blood for patients and of course for police, fire and EMS saving people's lives is part of their daily routine as well," said Renee Naiman, the Regional Director of the Canadian Blood Services for Central Ontario. "We try to have some fun with it by challenging the police, fire and EMS workers to beat each other in the number of collections they have during the summer." While the challenge between Halton's emergency personnel may be lighthearted, the reason for the challenge is serious due to the nation's overall blood supply sitting at very low levels. Naiman chalks this lack of blood donation to the summer preoccupations of potential donors. "Part of the challenge is that it's been beautiful weather throughout all of June and people are just out there after a long winter saying, `You know what, this is beautiful. It's summer, we're going to go out there and have a great time,'" said Naiman. "We all agree with that but what we want to remind people is in addition to packing up your goods and getting your kids out of school and getting ready, put a slot in your calendar to go out and just donate blood." With the Canadian Blood Services supplying blood to 58 hospitals throughout Ontario and with people pouring onto the highways to reach vacation destinations, the need for blood is only growing. " Over the summer, you get a lot of traumas and a lot of motor vehicle accidents," said y , ( ) Does Your Child Need a Learning Boost Before September? A six week curriculum based skill enhancement program Grades 2 ­ 5 Improve skills and strategies in reading, writing and math * taught by certified (experienced) teachers registered with the Ontario College of Teachers Registration closes July 11th Tues and Thurs 9:00-12:00 July 16-Aug. 20 $65.00/week for 6 weeks Sign up today! Only a few spots left! For information or to register contact: Heather @ (647) 287-1092 or e-mail: chcooke@sympatico.ca Naiman. "Unfortunately that kind of stuff doesn't take a holiday." Besides injuries, blood is also needed to help patients cope with a number of diseases such as cancer. "What people don't know is that when people go through chemotherapy for cancer treatment they need blood support and people don't realize that," said Naiman. "Cancer therapies work because they knock out basically all of your bodies cell producing areas, including blood supply. So during that chemotherapy you need the support of blood and platelets, which is a component of blood, to make sure you don't bleed and you can survive that chemotherapy." For the squeamish who fear making that first donation, Halton Regional Police Staff Sgt. Peter Hodgson, who made his 119th blood donation Tuesday, has these words of comfort. "It doesn't hurt at all," he said. "There may be a bit of a pin prick and there might be a little bit of discomfort some times, but when you consider the benefits that are gained by it, it's very very minor." For Hodgson the motivations for making over 100 donations are various, but many stem from things he has seen during his time as a police officer. "We see the effects of accidents and illnesses that people experience and people that benefit from the blood that we give," said Hodgson. "We've also had some pretty tragic experiences, people that have been in need of blood, members of the service, family and friends and that brings the need to give home. Personally, I've got three kids and I want to make sure there's enough blood if they ever need it." Those thinking about donating blood can call 1-888-2DONATE (236-6283) to find the nearest blood donor clinic and make an appointment. Photo identification is required and Canadian Blood Services officials recommend that potential donors eat and drink at lot before making a donation. Would-be donors are also asked to abstain from strenuous physical activity for about 24 hours before donating. T HAT WAS N' T H A R D THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMPLE WAYS TO ACHIEVE YOUR 10% CREDIT To qualify for your Summer Savings credit, lower your electricity use by 10% between July 1st and August 31st. You'll receive an additional 10% credit on your upcoming electricity bill* and you'll feel good knowing you're doing something good for the environment. No sign up necessary**. Just start saving now. Look for our Truck Load Flyer in today's paper! (Only in selected areas.) NEW Find out more at everykilowattcounts.com/summersavings * The electricity use data will be normalized to account for any weather difference between 2006 and 2007. **Summer Savings is open to eligible residential electricity customers from July 1st ­ August 31st, 2007. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. For full terms, conditions and eligibility requirements, visit everykilowattcounts.com/summersavings OM OPA, Every Kilowatt Counts and Ontario Power Authority are each official marks of the Ontario Power Authority. ® Trademark of Hamilton Utilities Corporation, used under license by Hydro One Inc. 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