The National Committee for Quality Assurance recognizes Kaiser Permanente Northern California for working to reduce health care disparities by providing high-quality, equitable care

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is being recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for providing high-quality, equitable care.

The NCQA awarded Kaiser Permanente Northern California the Health Equity Accreditation, which focuses on building an internal culture that supports the organization’s external health equity work; collecting data that helps the organization create and offer language services and provider networks mindful of individuals’ cultural and linguistic needs; and identifying opportunities to reduce health inequities and improve care.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Health Equity accreditation covers all lines of business including its Commercial HMO, Exchange HMO, Medicaid HMO, and Medicare HMO health care plans.

“As a health care organization, we are committed to providing culturally responsive, equitable care to our members, patients and the communities we serve,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We believe everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable health care. This is core to our mission, and we are continually working to reduce barriers and eliminate health care inequities.”

Some of these efforts include:

• In 2022, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that Kaiser Permanente Northern California has eliminated colorectal cancer disparities between Black and white adults. This study looked at colorectal cancer screening participation, incidence, and death rates for Black and white KP Northern California members ages 50 to 75.  The study covered a 19-year period in which our screening rate increased from approximately 40% to 80%. 
• In 2022, Kaiser Permanente Northern California invested $1.1 billion in the health of the communities it serves in Northern California. A significant part of the investments supported access to quality care through participation in the Medi-Cal program and Medical Financial Assistance.​

• Kaiser Permanente Northern California remains focused on addressing the root causes of health disparities, such as economic opportunity, affordable housing, health and wellness in schools, and a healthy environment.

• Kaiser Permanente embeds practices to identify and eliminate inequities across operations — from how we design buildings to how we conduct research and deliver care.  Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to delivering culturally responsive care, with multi-language outreach, call center staff fluent in more than 140 languages, and medical facilities uniquely focused on the needs of specific communities.

• Kaiser Permanente’s integrated care model, which provides both care and coverage, and our coordinated approach to delivering care make us a leader in addressing health disparities among our members and communities. Because Kaiser Permanente takes care of nearly all our members’ needs and records all patient care interactions in an electronic health record, Kaiser Permanente can identify health disparities among different groups. 

• Kaiser Permanente employees and physicians reflect and embrace the diverse communities we serve. This allows Kaiser Permanente to provide culturally responsive, equitable care for our members and patients.

“Advancing health equity is a foundational commitment of Kaiser Permanente, because everyone deserves access to high-quality health care,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “This NCQA accreditation reflects our ongoing commitment to creating and maintaining a culture focused on providing equitable care to our members and patients, which is essential to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

According to the NCQA, having health care organizations that are committed to eliminating health disparities in underserved populations will lead to better health outcomes and reduce overall treatment costs. NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation program offers an actionable framework for helping health systems continuously improve—and prioritize—health equity for the patients and communities they serve.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org

Presented by Jane Porter, RN of Grace & Glory Hospice

Donors urged to give now as nation faces lowest number of blood donors in decades. Donors have the chance to help save lives, win trip to Super Bowl LVIII

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals.

“Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.” 

Don’t wait – to make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.

Who donations help:

Sarah Montoya knows firsthand the lifesaving power a single blood donation contains. Five years ago, Sarah discovered that her 10-month-old son had a Wilms tumor growing on his kidney. He was one of the 43 children who, on average, are diagnosed with cancer in America every single day. He needed blood transfusions to survive the surgery that would ultimately save his life. Since then, Sarah start donating blood with the Red Cross. “I am so grateful that I can help people the same way my son has been helped,” she said.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31:

Contra Costa County

Antioch

1/25/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., ST. Ignatius of Antioch, 3351 Contra Loma Boulevard

Brentwood

1/31/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Trilogy Vineyards Veterans Association, 1700 Trilogy Parkway

Danville

1/12/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Road

El Cerrito

1/27/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Avenue

Pleasant Hill

1/8/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/9/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/10/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/11/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/12/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/13/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/14/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/15/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/16/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/17/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/18/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/19/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/20/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/21/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/22/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/23/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/24/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/25/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/26/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/27/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/29/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/30/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

1/31/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., College Park High School, 201 Viking Drive

1/31/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Contra Costa Blood Donation Center, 140 Gregory Lane

San Ramon

1/10/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., San Ramon Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2260 Camino Ramon

_______________

Alameda County

Alameda

1/9/2024: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Alameda City Library, 1550 Oak Street

1/13/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Alameda Community – Twin Towers United Methodist, 1411 Oak Street

1/27/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Joseph High School – Notre Dame Hall, St. Joseph Basilica, on Lafayette Street

Livermore

1/19/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Avenue

Newark

1/8/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/9/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/11/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/12/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/13/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/14/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/15/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/16/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/18/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/19/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/20/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/21/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/22/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/23/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/25/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/26/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/27/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/28/2024: 8:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/29/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

1/30/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:15 p.m., Fremont – Newark Blood Donation Center, 39227 Cedar Boulevard

Oakland
1/8/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/9/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Oakland Scottish Rite, 1547 Lakeside Drive

1/9/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/10/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/11/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/12/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/13/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/14/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/15/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/16/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/17/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/18/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/19/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/20/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/21/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/22/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/23/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/24/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/25/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/26/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/27/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/29/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/30/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

1/31/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Oakland Blood Donation Center, 5450 College Avenue

Pleasanton

1/8/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/9/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/10/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/12/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/13/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/14/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/15/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/16/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/17/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/19/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/20/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/21/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/22/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/23/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/24/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/26/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/27/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/29/2024: 12 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/30/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

1/31/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., Pleasanton Blood Donation Center, 5880 W. Las Positas Boulevard, Suite 34

_______________

San Francisco County

San Francisco

1/8/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/9/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/10/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/12/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/13/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/14/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/15/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/16/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/17/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/19/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/20/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/21/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/22/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/23/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/24/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/27/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/29/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/30/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

1/31/2024: 11:45 a.m. – 6:45 p.m., San Francisco Blood Donation Center, 1663 Market Street

_______________

Santa Clara County

Gilroy

1/11/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gilroy, 7999 Miller Avenue

1/17/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Gavilan College, 5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard

Morgan Hill

1/9/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Morgan Hill, 1790 E. Dunne Avenue

San Jose

1/8/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/9/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/10/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/11/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/12/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/13/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/13/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., San Jose Center Mobile Drives, American Red Cross, 2731 N. 1st Street

1/14/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/15/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/16/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/17/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Interfaith – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
San Jose, 1655 Noreen Street

1/17/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/18/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/19/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/20/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/20/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Jack and Jill of America San Jose Chapter, Jack and Jill, 2731 N. First Street

1/21/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/22/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/23/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/24/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/25/2024: 10:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/26/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/27/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/28/2024: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/29/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/30/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

1/31/2024: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 North First Street

Santa Clara

1/27/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Santa Clara, 875 Quince Avenue

Saratoga

1/30/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road

_______________

San Mateo County

Foster City

1/20/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Foster City, 1000 Shell Boulevard

Half Moon Bay

1/16/2024: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue

Millbrae

1/11/2024: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Westin San Francisco Airport, 1 Old Bayshore Highway

San Mateo

1/13/2024: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Highlands Recreation Center, 1851 Lexington Avenue

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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Contributes $365,000 to fund 540,000 meals

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

In the Bay Area, 1 in 4 residents will struggle with food insecurity this year. To help manage the expected increase in food insecurity during the holidays, Kaiser Permanente is making multiple investments in the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano by providing funds for 540,000 meals. On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, Kaiser Permanente presented a $365,000 check at the Concord food bank site.

“To our partners at Kaiser Permanente, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this generous donation,” said Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano VP of Finance Brian Morrow. “With this money, we will be able to provide 540,000 meals to our neighbors in need. We thank you so much. Happy holidays!”

Every month, local residents visit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano for supplemental food. The food bank anticipates that the demand for food assistance will increase by about 20 percent during the holiday season.

A grant of $270,000 from Kaiser Permanente supports healthy food distributions, and an additional $95,000 grant from a Kaiser Permanente fund at the East Bay Community Foundation supports outreach to ensure that community members will have access to CalFresh (California’s food stamp program) and Medi-Cal. The food bank recently kicked off its 3 Million Meals Campaign.

Last Tuesday, community volunteers sorted and packaged produce at the food bank for upcoming food distributions. According to the CA Association of Food Banks, California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, about 8.8 million people are food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to enough food to lead a healthy, active life. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano provides more than 3.4 million meals each month.

“We believe that our health is our wealth,” said Kaiser Permanente Contra Costa County and Tri-Valley Service Area Community Health Manager Leslie Brown. “In order for you to be able to take care of your physical health, you need nutritious meals. It’s so important for people to have access to healthy food so they can take care of their physical health.”

Learn more about mushrooms at the Tilden Fungus Fair Jan. 20-21

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

With the return of winter rains, park visitors may have noticed mushrooms popping up in the Regional Parks. Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of our parklands and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous toxins.

The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season.

The death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately. Both mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed. They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.

The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the stem. Although the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the west coast. The death cap is not native to California.

The western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

The Park District urges the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks. Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.

Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.

While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area. For more information about toxic mushrooms, visit www.ebparks.org/safety/trails/toxic-mushrooms.

Learn More About Fungi – Tilden Fungus Fair, January 20-21, 2024

Celebrate the fruits of winter! View hundreds of local mushroom specimens, mingle with the mycological community, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers at this two-day special event. Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/tilden-fungus-fair. 

‘Tis the season to help the American Red Cross now through Jan. 5

Donors receive long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last

OAKLAND, CA. Dec. 20, 2023 — When blood products are fully stocked on hospital shelves, patients don’t have to wait for critical care. Giving blood or platelets with the American Red Cross in December can help those in need make more holiday memories with loved ones.

This is a busy time for many. Holiday gatherings, travel and seasonal illnesses can all impact donor availability, making it hard to collect enough blood and platelets. Unfortunately, trauma patients in the emergency room, those undergoing cancer treatment and new parents in need of lifesaving transfusions can’t take a holiday break. Donors are needed every single day.  

Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma Dec. 18, 2023-Jan. 5, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. To extend a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood, platelets and plasma during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-31, 2024, National Blood Donor Month, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Making and keeping appointments throughout the month can help safeguard the national blood supply into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

By Josef Britschgi, Marketing & Communication Administrator, BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank recently helped secure funding for a nonprofit workforce development organization in Antioch.

Through a collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) and its AHEAD economic development grant program, BAC Community Bank helped to provide $70,000 in funding to Antioch’s Opportunity Junction for the expansion of its mental health services. 

“It is a privilege to stand by Opportunity Junction and other grassroots community organizations,” said Dana Bockstahler, BAC Community Bank CEO. “We are honored to assist in providing the vital financial support that fuels their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on local lives.”

With a mission to “help motivated Contra Costa County job seekers develop the skills and confidence to launch careers that lead to financial security,” Opportunity Junction provides no-cost job training and wraparound support to income-eligible individuals with barriers to employment. 

Opportunity Junction President and CEO Brianna Robinson said her organization’s Administrative Careers Training program has offered mental health services to participants since 2003, but this BAC Community Bank-sponsored grant will now make those services available to all individuals enrolled in the Healthcare Career Pathway and Career Counseling and Placement Assistance programs. 

“We are deeply grateful for this support,” Robinson continued. “We recognized in 2003 that addressing trauma was critical to helping job seekers overcome barriers to employment. As we have grown over the years and added more programs, we are excited to offer these services to all our job seekers with the goal of supporting high graduation and employment retention rates.” 

The AHEAD program enables FHLBank San Francisco members like BAC Community Bank to give a critical boost to local programs and projects that target pressing community needs and bring greater opportunity to underserved populations. AHEAD grants are awarded annually and delivered through FHLBank San Francisco member financial institutions to local community organizations for projects and programs that benefit lower-income and underserved communities. 

Since the program’s inception in 2004, FHLBank San Francisco has awarded more than $25 million in AHEAD grants to over 800 economic development projects in Arizona, California and Nevada. In 2023, the FHLBank San Francisco board of directors allocated $4 million to the AHEAD program, more than doubling the funding in prior years, and awarded grants to 75 projects. BAC Community Bank applied for the grant in partnership with Opportunity Junction and was awarded the $70,000 after a competitive selection process. This is the fourth year that BAC Community Bank has participated in the program.

“Each year, we are inspired by the wide range of impactful programs that are brought to us by our member institutions through the AHEAD grant program,” said Eric Cicourel, FHLBank San Francisco senior vice president and community investment officer. “We were particularly encouraged by the large number of unique members who participated in this cycle, including BAC Community Bank. These financial institutions are pillars in their communities and have an intimate understanding of the needs of the communities they serve. We are proud to partner with our members to extend a lifeline to so many compelling and deserving organizations.”  

For those interested in applying for the AHEAD Program in 2024, please contact BAC Community Bank or visit the FHLBank San Francisco website at www.fhlbsf.com to learn more. 

About BAC Community Bank

BAC Community Bank is California’s 10th oldest state-chartered bank. Established in 1965, BAC operates branch offices throughout San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and eastern Contra Costa counties. Centrally headquartered in Stockton, California, BAC is continuously recognized for its strength and banking excellence in the communities it serves. BAC Community Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC. More information is available online at www.bankbac.com. 

About Opportunity Junction

Opportunity Junction was founded in 2000 on the fundamental belief that everyone who works hard deserves the opportunity to succeed despite facing personal and systemic barriers. The organization provides training, support, work experience and placement assistance to empower Contra Costa job seekers to achieve financial security. More information is available online at www.opportunityjunction.org. 

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions — commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions — promote homeownership and expand access to quality housing and boost economic development. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient. More information is available online at www.fhlbsf.com.