Blood supplies are at their lowest levels in the early months of the year due to inclement weather and seasonal illnesses that prohibit donors from contributing.  To help bring more awareness to this cause, each January since 1970 has been designated National Blood Donor Month.  The awareness program is designed to educate new donors on the simplicity of donating blood. 

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in America needs a blood transfusion.  That means over 38,000 individuals need to utilize donated blood on any given day, yet only three out of every 100 people give blood.  And since blood only has a shelf life of 42 days, even those who donate regularly cannot keep supply levels stable, even if they donate the maximum limit of six times a year, or every 56 days.

Senator Hunter recently attended a Martin Luther King Day Celebration at the South Park Baptist Church in Chicago, Reverend Dr. E. R. Williams, pastor. The program was emceed by Art Norman (NBC5) and attended by city and state officials, business leaders and community residents. Senator Hunter was acknowledged for her service and participated in the program by presenting the King Award to Phil Jackson, community activist and Founder/Executive Director of the Black Star Project.  Pictured (left to right) Alderman Pat Dowell, Actress Regina Taylor, Phil Jackson, Senator Hunter and Johnnie Blair, President, Bronzeville Chamber of Commerce.

State Senator Mattie Hunter will be collaborating with Adler Professional School of Psychology and other public and private organizations in a panel discussion focusing on the impacts of social factors on urban communities.  Different Englewood organizations will be represented in the panel discussion and members of the community are encouraged to attend. 

The discussion will focus on efforts to form a solutions-based action plan to strengthen economic development, better education opportunities and lower crime rates in Englewood.  Due to a crumbling infrastructure and one of the highest crime rates in the nation, it is now more important than ever to bring the Englewood community together in its endeavor to seek change.

Janis McReynolds, District Administrator for Sen. Mattie Hunter, reads a Proclamation for the Marquette Park Soccer Initiative Kick-Off.

The goal of the league is to provide a safe and productive environment that enables children to learn and apply the principles of teamwork, discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship. They facilitate the development of strength and character in every child that participates.