Flu Cases 'Widespread,' Says Red Cross

Outbreaks are earlier than normal in the area.

  The Red Cross says there's still time for folks to get flu shots and be covered from what is considered to be a more active flu season.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said flu outbreaks are high for this time of the season, with "widespread activity" in Massachusetts. How do you prevent the flu? According to the CDC, in addition to getting the vaccine, you can: How do you know if you have the virus? Symptoms include: high fever, severe body aches, headache, being extremely tired, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting and/or diarrhea (which is more common in children). When should you call the doctor? According to the Red Cross, if you think you have the flu, your doctor should be consulted immediately if you …

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Panera Bread Collects $4,000 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief

In just under two weeks, the customers at 16 New England-based Panera Bread locations, including the Dedham location, were able to raise more than $4,000 for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

  The effort kicked off on Nov. 20, just weeks after Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the northeast.   “As a neighbor and with customers living in the Northeast affected by the hurricane, we would like to support the Hurricane Sandy relief effort by the American Red Cross,” said Eve Metheny, director of brand marketing for Hamra Enterprises, which owns Boston Bread, LLC. Boston Bread, LLC operates 16 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the Greater Boston area. Donations were collected by boxes stationed at registers, and were also tacked onto checks upon request. By the end of the campaign, Panera Bread collected $4,359 to help the Red Cross provide relief following disasters like Superstorm Sandy. “We truly appreciate the support from both …

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Red Cross Offers Tips to Help Prevent Holiday Fires

With trees, extra lights and candle in many homes this month, it's important to be aware of the fire hazards they present.

  As beautiful as holiday trees and lights are, they present fire hazards many people may not be aware of. The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts is urging homeowners to use extra caution this time of year to keep the season merry and to prevent holiday fires. The Red Cross provided the following tips to ensure a safe and happy holiday: Christmas Tree Care Holiday Lights and Decorations Holiday Candles

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How You Can Help Victims of Hurricane Sandy

The New York Red Cross offers ways you can help friends and family devastated by the storm.

The New York Red Cross provided the following information with suggestions for helping those affected by Sandy's impact.

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TELL US: Are You Prepared for a Zombie Apocalypse?

The American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts has launched a website to help residents prepare for an emergence of zombies.

Certainly in the spirit of Halloween, but more appropriate for the long-debated Mayan Apocalypse, the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts this week launched a new website that aims to prepare everyone for dealing with the potential rise of zombies, according to a report in the Metro this week.   The website, SavingZombies.com, provides readers with a count-down to the alleged "apocalypse" that some have suggested on the internet is predicted for Dec. 21 by the ancient Mayans (several resources have debunked the myth on the Internet, such as NASA.com; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, has released tongue-in-cheek "zombie warnings," but has also denied the existence of Zombies, according to The Huffington …

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Red Cross Issues Emergency Call for Blood Donations

Fewer than anticipated donors in June means a shortage in available blood stores.

Are you at least 17 years old? Do you weigh 110 pounds or more? Healthy? The American Red Cross needs your help. The Red Cross has issued an emergency request for blood donations, stating in a press release that its "blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June." The blood bank is stocked with about half the available blood it held this time last year. Red Cross officials speculate that an earlier-than-normal spring season could have led to fewer than typical blood donations as regular donors transitioned into summer activities early and failed to schedule their blood and platelet donations. Now, need exists for all blood types, but particularly for O Positive, O Negative, A Negative and B …

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Get Out

4 Things To Do This Weekend: Feb. 17-19

From hiking to skating to donating blood, there is definitely something to get your juices going this weekend.

It's Thursday, and you've got no idea what you'll do for the weekend. Dedham Patch is coming to the rescue.

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Get Out

5 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 26-29

A night at the races and a movie matinee are among weekend events.

It's Thursday, and you've got no idea what you'll do for the weekend. Dedham Patch is coming to the rescue. Greenlodge "Nite At The Races" Fundraiser                                                                     COA Movie Matinee   America’s Kitchens   American Red Cross Blood Drive   Irish Social Club in West Roxbury

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5 Ways to Volunteer Your Time This Holiday Season

Want to give back to the community? There are plenty of ways to help out.

It's the season of giving - and not just gifts. We found a few organizations in Dedham looking for you to help out by donating some of your time, but if you know of others, add them to the comment section below.

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Dedham Red Cross Office Axing 117 Jobs

The cut in staff is part of a nation-wide plan to lay off 1,100 employees.

The American Red Cross will lay off 117 staff members from its Dedham telerecruitment center, according to a statement released by the organization. The American Red Cross will cut 1,100 staff members nationwide as it consolidates telerecruitment operations from 26 call centers down to three in Nebraska, Arizona and North Carolina. Of the 117 in Dedham, 20 are part-time workers and 97 are full-time employees. Despite the cut, roughly 500 employees will continue to staff the Northeast offices of the American Red Cross in Dedham. The statement, released Friday, stated that affected employees are encouraged to apply for open positions within the organization and that the Red Cross "is working to ensure that staff members have the support they…

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