TOPEKA, Kan. July 11, 2017 – The American Red Cross, Kansas Capital Area Chapter urges citizens in the 19-county area to nominate people who they feel have performed extraordinary acts for the fourth annual Tribute to Heroes luncheon in Topeka. Nominations are open through Monday, August 14th. Kansans in the area are encouraged to visit https://www.redcross.org/local/kansas/heroes-nominations to share stories and nominate people who are deserving of the honor.

“This is a great opportunity to truly thank someone for the difference they’ve made,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director for the American Red Cross Kansas Capital Area Chapter. “Each year I am amazed with the nominations and enjoy hearing about the wonderful people we have in our community.”

The heroes will be honored at a luncheon on November 7^th at the Ramada Topeka Downtown Hotel and Convention Center. At the event, the heroes and their guests will be honored by an audience of approximately 250 community leaders and supporters. Attendees will be treated to lunch and will enjoy a brief program and heartfelt videos telling the stories of each person being honored.

Those nominated are eligible for one of six unique Hero categories:

1. Lifetime Hero – presented to an individual who inspires others by their example.  This individual has overcome hardship, risen above challenges, or dedicated their life to serving others.
2. Gift of Life – presented to an individual, couple, group or organization that supports the lifesaving mission through personal blood or platelet donations or inspiring others to give blood or platelets.
3. Good Samaritan – presented to an individual who is considered a hero because of their unselfish devotion and concern for the welfare of others.
4. Call to Action – presented to an individual who by circumstances beyond their control found themselves in a challenging situation and demonstrated extraordinary courage.
5. Commitment to Community – presented to an individual, couple, group or organization that has made a tremendous impact on the community through their volunteerism, philanthropy, or service to others.
6. Disaster Relief – presented to an individual or organization who has served an important role in disaster relief in our community.
7. Public Servant Hero – presented to an individual who, in the line of duty (police, fire, military, medical, etc.), performed above and beyond the call.
8. Residents in the following counties are eligible for the Award: Brown, Anderson, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Linn, Lyon, Marshall, Miami, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, and Wabaunsee.

“We are thrilled to hold the Tribute to Heroes luncheon each year and recognize our community’s unsung heroes,” said Blocher.

To honor someone, the nominee must live or work in the counties listed above. To submit a nomination, visit https://www.redcross.org/local/kansas/heroes-nominations to nominate online, or download a nomination form and mail to:

American Red Cross

ATTN: Briana Laymon

1221 SW 17^th Street

Topeka, KS 66604

Self-nominations are not permitted.

MANHATTAN — Are you tough enough to wear pink?

The Kaw Valley Rodeo Association’s 11th annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Wells Arena in CiCo Park, Manhattan. The event honors cancer survivors and raises awareness and funds for Kansas State University’s Johnson Cancer Research Center.

The Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo is part of the three-day Kaw Valley PRCA — or Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association — Rodeo, July 27-29, and is in conjunction with the Riley County Fair, July 27-31. A portion of Friday night’s rodeo ticket sales will go to the Johnson Cancer Research Center.

“We want rodeo fans to pack the arena with pink on July 28,” said Gene Klingler, a local physician and the chairman of the Kaw Valley Rodeo Association’s Pink Committee. “This event serves as a reminder that cowboys and cowgirls are tough, but cancer survivors are even tougher.”

Pink T-shirts, hats, bandanas and more will be available for purchase at the rodeo and throughout July, with all proceeds supporting the cancer research center.

“The pink rodeo is a huge undertaking and exciting event,” said S. Keith Chapes, interim director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center. “We are grateful to the Kaw Valley Rodeo Association, sponsors and volunteers for making it possible, and to the spectators who support it.”

Sponsors are still being sought for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo. Sponsors are listed on the cancer research center’s Tough Enough to Wear Pink event webpage and recognized in a variety of other ways. People interested in sponsoring should contact Klingler at 785-532-9203.

The Johnson Cancer Research Center supports and advances cancer research and education at Kansas State University. Its programs are made possible by private donations. Information is available by calling 785-532-6705 or visiting cancer.k-state.edu.

Geary USD 475 Board of Education member Brian Field took time to dispell rumors during the monthly school board meeting in Junction City Monday.

He told fellow board members and others in attendance at the meeting that he and his wife Rachael are not moving out of town. And no, he did not apply for the Junction City High School baseball ( head )  coaching job. He supports the person who did apply for it and was hired.  Pat Stivers was hired to serve as the Blue Jay head baseball coach.

Field recently chose not to seek reelection to a second four-year term on the Board of Education. His current term runs until January.

There is no substitute for human blood.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a critical blood shortage and as a result they are hosting emergency blood drives, including one in Junction City next week.

Joyce McCrae, Red Cross, said that 10 percent of all people that visit the hospital need blood at some point in their life.

“There are many groups of people that need blood frequently – people that have cancer often need blood transfusions, people who have sickle cell need blood transfusions,” said McCrae.

In the summer there are often more medical emergencies, making blood shortages during this time of the year common but difficult.

“An accident victim in a car accident can use as much as 100 units of blood,” said McCrae. “We all know people who need blood and we want to make sure it’s there; there’s no substitute for human blood, we cannot manufacture it.”

McCrae noted that it would take approximately 17 years to donate 100 units of blood to help one car accident victim. “Only 38 percent of the population can give blood, and out of that 38 percent [only] a small percentage do give blood; so we really depend on our loyal donors.”

The local blood drive will be Thursday, July 20th from 11:30 am until 6:00 pm and Friday, July 21st from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Junction City Municipal Building.

To schedule an appointment call 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org.