LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Red Cross continues plea for more blood
To the Editor:
After issuing an emergency call for blood and platelet donors in early July, the American Red Cross continues to face a critical blood shortage. Eligible donors of all types are urged to give now.
As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard.
People can help patients like Arthur Bourget. After being diagnosed with leukemia, he learned firsthand how blood shortages can affect patients.
Arthur’s story is available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Wdese2Nyw] for embedding on websites and sharing via social media.
With your help, we can quickly respond to this emergency by informing people in our community about how they can help save lives.
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate. Also, you can hold the power to save lives in the palm of your hand with the FREE Red Cross Blood Donor App. Text “BLOODAPP” to 90999 or download it from the App StoreSM or the Google Play store today.
Maya Franklin, External Communications Manager, American Red Cross, Carolinas Red Cross Blood Services
U.S. Court to hear today arguments on new maps
To the Editor:
Today in Greensboro, a district court will decide on a deadline for the North Carolina General Assembly to redraw their racially-gerrymandered legislative maps and when the first election to use them will be.
On June 5 the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request by North Carolina lawmakers to review a lower court’s decision in Covington v. The State of North Carolina that struck down 2011 state legislative districts drawn as illegal racial gerrymanders. The Court sent the case back to the lower court to determine whether elections should be held in 2017 as initially ordered.
On July 27, today, the lower court will hear arguments on these maps and when the first election to use them will be, including the possibility of a special election in fall of 2017 or early 2018. This hearing will be open to the public, and you can attend.
Thank you!
Bob Hall. Democracy North Carolina, Durham
Note: Here are details on how you can attend the hearing today and observe the process: Today at 10 a.m. in Greensboro, a district court in the U.S. District Court, Courtroom #3, 324 W. Market St., will decide on a deadline for the North Carolina General Assembly to redraw its racially-gerrymandered legislative maps and when the first election to use them will be. This hearing on Covington v. The State of North Carolina will take place in Greensboro Courtroom #3 before a panel of three judges. The hearing is open to the public to observe.
