Donate Blood - May 22, 2026 11:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Virginia Gay Hospital-Clinic Conference Room - 502 N 9th Ave, Vinton, IASee flyer below for details!Fun Facts about Donating Blood!In the United States, blood products that are transfused to hospital patients must be from an unpaid volunteer blood donor!HOW MUCH DOES YOUR DONATION HELP?A single hospital patient can require a large amount of blood in a single situationCancer patients: Up to eight platelet units per weekBurn victims: Up to 20 plasma unitsAutomobile accidents: Up to 50 red blood cell unitsHeart surgery: Up to six red blood cell units + six platelet unitsOrgan transplants: Up to 25 plasma units + 30 platelet units + 40 red blood cell unitsPremature infants: Up to five units of red blood cellDID YOU KNOW?One pint of whole blood - the most common form of donation - can save up to three lives! â€¢ Someone needs blood every two seconds.

In this edition of the May 2026 Words on Wellness newsletter, you can find the following topics.The MIND Diet: Eating to Keep Your Brain HealthyRecipe for Broiled SalmonQuick ThawStretching for Health: Easy Exercises to Boost Flexibility For more information and upcoming health and human sciences events, check out our website!https://www.

By Robin OpsahlThe Iowa Senate sent Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Make America Healthy Again” legislation to her desk Monday, a package that includes SNAP restrictions, over-the-counter ivermectin and several school health and nutrition policies.

The Benton County Suicide Prevention Coalition will hold an In-person meeting:  May 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.Location:  Van Horne Community Center, 508 1st Ave, Van Horne, IAEveryone is welcome to join us! Virtual option — Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 709 517 1854 | Passcode: 39bTnvFocus for our upcoming in-person and virtual meetings:Networking:  Strengthening connections among members and community partnersCollaboration:  Exploring opportunities to support one another's effortsGroup Building:  Sharing ideas on how our coalition can grow stronger and more effectiveYour voice and perspective are vital.

What could be better than saving lives? How about saving money while you do it? Students who donate blood or host a blood drive through LifeServe can earn scholarships and recognition while making a meaningful difference in their community.

Photo shared with permission from Buena Vista Regional Medical Center's 2023 Sun-Safety Community Project at area pools.In an effort to promote sun-safety and reduce the risk of skin cancer, the Iowa Cancer Consortium, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center will distribute approximately 90 gallons of SPF30 sunscreen across Iowa this summer! Along with sunscreen, awarded projects will educate the community about the risks of UV exposure and ways they can prevent skin cancer.

On February 20, 2026, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) became aware that a file containing limited Medicaid subscriber information had been inadvertently posted to the Department’s website on February 16, 2026.

                                             Sunday, May 31st, 2026—SAVE THE DATE!!   That is the date for the Benton County Relay For Life at 7:30 PM at the Benton Community MS/HS track in Van Horne.

Pictured: Members of the Benton County Opioid Committee, University of Iowa Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) Mobile MAT Clinic team, and Virginia Gay Hospital staff gathered during a recent visit focused on expanding access to substance use treatment and community-based care in Benton County.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) is launching an additional funding opportunity to help communities across the state respond to the opioid crisis.