For 26 years, The Arc of the United States has sponsored Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to enhance understanding of the issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and educate the public that people with developmental disabilities can be vital and vibrant members of communities.

According to a recent study by the CDC:

• Developmental disabilities affect more than 7 million Americans (and more than 121,000 Alabamians)
• About one in six children in the U.S. had one or more developmental disabilities or delays in 2006-2008
• The prevalence of parent-reported developmental disabilities increased 17 percent from 1997-2008

These statistics underscore the increasing need for specialized health services, education and social services for people with developmental disabilities.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types as the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting a blood drive in Selma today:

• Concordia College from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Please help LifeSouth build its supply of all blood types by donating at this drive.

For more information about LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, visit their website or call 334-260-0803.

Donors can also donate blood any time at the Donor Center in Montgomery.  It is located at 4139 Carmichael Road.

Source:  LifeSouth Blood Centers, Inc.

Health-related careers are expected to be a popular occupational choice in the future. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the total employment rate for health services managers alone is expected to grow by 22 percent (2010-2020).
 
More than 900 students and teachers travel to Montgomery this week to participate in two days of competitive events and advanced leadership study at the Alabama 2013 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Leadership Conference, February 7-8. Students attending this conference at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center will have an opportunity to participate in more than 45 different competitions and workshops.
 
Currently, the national HOSA organization has over 100,000 members throughout the United States. Alabama has approximately 4,000 members.