The Badger Chapter of the American Red Cross is asking for help to offset what it's calling a significant decrease in blood donations.

The clinic on Madison's West Side, for instance, prefers to have a three- to five-day supply of blood on hand.

But in the summer months, the stock can dip to just a one-day supply.

The Badger Chapter is kicking off its annual awareness campaign called "Beach Days."

"We've had a lot of success with 'Beach Days,'" said Janna Lenz, marketing director of the American Red Cross. "And it's really good to see people come in and understand that the need is there and they're willing to support patients in need. So it's good."

The 11th annual Beach Days event kicks off at the Sheraton Hotel at 706 John Nolen Dr. on Tuesday, July 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event continues July 6 through July 9 at the Madison East and Madison West Blood Donation Centers.

The Friends of Meriter awarded two Madison East High School seniors with college scholarships. 

Rachelle Herrin and Tenzin Tsegyal each received a $2,000 scholarship. Herrin is the daughter of Jeanne Herrin, a Meriter Hospital nurse and Tsegyal, is the son of Tsering Lhamo, a Meriter certified nursing assistant.

Tips from Meriter’s Greenbush Garden Bistro, Dr. Joe’s Coffee Clinic and valet parking finance the scholarship program. 

Nineteen scholarships were given to area high school seniors who plan to pursue health care careers. 

Four of the students have a parent who works at Meriter. The students were recognized at an awards luncheon on Wednesday, May 4.

Since its formation in 1987, Friends of Meriter has awarded $356,000 worth of scholarships to 336 high school students pursuing a health care career.

Twenty-two shavees accepted the lofty challenge issued by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and shaved their heads in exchange for donations to help raise money for childhood cancer research at the Globe University-Madison East campus as part of a worldwide effort to Conquer Kids’ Cancer.

The group $8,278 was raised at the event.

Participants find that shaving their head is a small sacrifice in comparison to what these children endure. Volunteer “shavees” of all ages are willing to lose their locks to raise money to help fund the most promising research in pediatric oncology.

“Our fundraising goal was set for $1,500 but resulted in $8,278 raised for the cause,” said Lisha Terre, the Medical Assistant Program Chair at Globe University who promised her students she would shave her head if they met their $1,500 goal. She was happy and proud yesterday when she made good on that promise and shaved off over two feet of hair to donate to Locks of Love."