HEALTH BRIEFS
Lupus support group to meet

Lupus Support Network is having its monthly Lupus/Fibromyalgia support group meeting on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Like Adult Home daycare in Pensacola at 2 p.m.

The meetings are open to the general public and there is no charge for attending the meeting.

For more information call Anna at 1-800-458-8211.

Blood center needs type O

The Northwest Florida Blood Center needs type O blood immediately. The center needs the community to support this critical appeal as they are having to place calls to import blood into the area. Other blood centers are facing a shortage as well. Blood center officials encourage the public to visit one of their centers and make a blood donation as soon as possible. Blood Donors who are O positive and O negative are asked to come donate. All blood types are needed. There is an increase of patient emergencies in local hospitals. These patients need blood type O.

Those eligible to donate are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a picture ID and are in good health.

Donation time should be less than one hour. The process includes: registration, a health history survey, blood pressure and iron level checks. The blood draw itself is approximately nine minutes. For details call Donor Recruitment at 850-473- 3853. Check the website at www.nfbcblood.org for additional information.

Northwest Florida Blood Center has been providing blood and blood components to support physician, hospitals and patients in the community since 1948. It's time to give the gift of life. It's in you to give.

Sacred Heart announces new hospital plans

Sacred Heart Health System is moving rapidly ahead to expand into neighboring counties and to improve services to the local community while emphasizing care for those most in need. Sacred Heart Health Systems is implementing this effort across the Gulf Coast with substantial growth and strategic partnerships with the like of M.D. Anderson Cancer Centers, Florida State University College of Medicine and Nemours Children's Clinic.

Projects coming off the drawing boards include a new outpatient medical center in Gulf Shores, Ala., expected by early 2008; and a community hospital in Port St. Joe, Fla., scheduled for a January 2009 opening.

Sacred Heart Health System has expanded from Port St. Joe to Gulf Shores to meet the need of fast growing communities in Northwest Florida and South Alabama.

The community hospital under construction in Port St. Joe will include 25 private rooms, an emergency department and two operating rooms. Sacred Heart estimates the cost for the hospital at approximately $30 million.