Gardening and Growing for February
Our next program is, “From Victory Gardens to Community Gardens,” on Sunday, Feb. 7. Speakers will talk about the a collaborative organic garden that WTB helped birth last year on the North Side. Both refugees and other North Side residents have been involved.
You’ll also learn about the slow food movement, founded to counteract fast food and fast life and honor local food traditions. And someone will be with us from Syracuse Grows, an organization dedicated to just food distribution and urban gardening in Syracuse.
And for those of us who aren’t green thumbs, we will learn about companion planting –the concept that certain plants can benefit others, when planted next to or close to one another.
Bring your favorite recipes and graces for our new (in development) WTB Cook Book. See you at 3 p.m. at Jowonio School, 3049 East Genesee Street, across from Nottingham High School, Syracuse.
WTB Honored In March by Jewish Community Center
The Jewish Community Center has selected Women Transcending Boundaries as one of three not-for-profit organizations being honored at its Community Gala at the Turning Stone on March 6.
The Syracuse Film Festival and the Gregg Harris Hospitality Room will also be spotlighted during the award presentation that evening, to be followed by dinner and dancing. WTB members can purchase tickets for $125 to be a part of this festive evening. If you’re interested in going, contact Gay Montague, 315-415-0734.
Interfaith Blood Drive A Success
The Red Cross was pleased with the 21 pints of blood we collected at our WTB Interfaith Blood Drive January 21 at University United Methodist Church. Danya Wellmon reports this amount can save 63 live! What a great testament to our group — that people of various faiths and traditions can all spill their blood for such a good cause.
Fact or Myth?
1. Most patients find a marrow donor within their family.
2. Donating bone marrow requires painful surgery.
3. It costs a lot of money to donate marrow or tissue.
4. I wear glasses so no one would want my eyes.
5. I signed the back of my drivers’ license so I’m all set.
Answers:
1. False. Only 30% do.
2. False. 80% of marrow donations are given through a process like donating blood. Some blood is taken out, filtered and then put right back in your other arm.
3. False. It doesn’t cost the donor anything.
4. False. One can donate an eye even if you use contacts, wear glasses, or are blind because corneas are still good.
5. False. The law has changed since mid 2008 so it’s a good idea to sign the NYS Organ and Tissue Registry. Plus the new law requires doctors to honor your wishes, not those of your family.
Next Meeting You’ll Hear about our Community Garden
Speakers Urge “Save a Life While You Can”
Speakers at our January meeting explained how easy it is to donate blood or marrow.
It’s really easy to give the gift of life to others,speakers told women attending the January 10 meeting. WTB learned about three ways to do so:
- Organ and tissue donation
- Bone marrow donation
- Blood donation.
Nearly all religious traditions support such practices, and many encourage it. More importantly, there’s a great demand for these life-saving donations, the speakers explained. Many people are dying because they don’t get the organ or tissues that could save their lives.
Jessica Duffy, Central New York Eye and Tissue Bank, explained that nearly everyone can give tissue and organs after death – either for transplant or research. Most everyone qualifies, even people who have a disease.
Persons 18-60 can donate bone marrow and most of the time it doesn’t involve surgery, said Paula Miller of the William Pomeroy Foundation. Marrow can help people with leukemia, lymphoma and 30-some other diseases and is the only cure for sickle cell disease. Miller said more than 6,000 people are searching daily for a marrow match. While 70% of the population can donate blood, only 4% do. More than 3000 pints are needed in area hospitals each month.
Newsletter Now On-Line
Judy Antoine is producing a monthly newsletter about WTB activities. To see the latest edition, click here.
