Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral Events Newswire

Florida Child in Need of Extremely Rare Blood- OneBlood Leading Worldwide Search to Locate Donors 12/3/2018 8:00 AM - 12/3/2119

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 14:19:23 GMT

(Orlando, Florida December 3, 2018) OneBlood, the local not-for-profit blood center serving Florida and other parts of the southeast, is leading a worldwide search to find some of the rarest blood in the world. It’s needed to help save two-year-old Zainab, a South Florida girl who is battling neuroblastoma, a very aggressive form of cancer. Zainab’s blood is extremely rare because she is missing a common antigen that most people carry on their red blood cells. The antigen is called “Indian B” (Inb). For a person to be a possible match for Zainab, they must also be missing the Indian B antigen, or the little girl's body will reject the blood. Locating people who are missing the Indian B antigen comes down to genetics. • Statistically, the only people who are likely to be a match for Zainab are people of Pakistani, Indian or Iranian descent. Of these populations, less than 4% of the people are actually missing the Indian B antigen. To be a match for Zainab a donor must meet the following criteria: • Must be exclusively Pakistani, Indian or Iranian descent – meaning the donor’s birth parents are both 100% Pakistani, Indian or Iranian • Must be blood type “O” or “A” • All donations for Zainab must be coordinated with OneBlood in advance to ensure the additional compatibility testing is performed. Visit https://www.oneblood.org/zainab/ for donation information. OneBlood is working closely with other blood centers and the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP), an organization that searches the world for rare blood donors. So far, three matching donors have been located, including a donor that ARDP located in the United Kingdom, near London. It’s the first time OneBlood has ever received an international donor for a local patient. The other two matching donors are from the United States. While it’s promising the three donors have been located, additional donors are needed. Zainab will need blood transfusions for the foreseeable future. To support her long-term blood needs, the search is on to find at least seven to ten compatible donors. OneBlood is sharing Zainab’s story in the hopes more people who meet the specific donor criteria will come forward to donate for the little girl. OneBlood is conducting all compatibility testing of potential donors. So far, more than 1,000 local donations, as well as donations from other parts of the country have been tested and no additional matches have been identified. Media Tool Kit Available • To view OneBlood’s online show about the search for Zainab’s donors, and for details on how to donate and/or host a blood drive for Zainab, please visit https://www.oneblood.org/zainab/. • A media tool kit with video and interviews is available by visiting https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4yrbbtu13mdglv6/AADToakWh9ixj9e4rBKiXYjca?dl=0. ## OneBlood is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood to more than 200 hospital partners and their patients throughout most of Florida, parts of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. To learn more about OneBlood visit www.oneblood.org.

Marine Biology and Field Lab 2/5/2027 6:30 AM - 2/5/2027 8:30 AM

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:18:46 GMT

Instructor: Chris Whitt, Marine Biologist

Become a student of marine biology and learn about marine life (including mollusks) at Sanibel’s Gulfside City Park. This hands-on course will cover finding and identifying micromollusks, phytoplankton collecting, and the role of phytoplankton in local food webs, invertebrate diversity, and more.

Prerequisites: Ability to walk in wet sand and mud, crouch down, and stand for periods of 30+ minutes. This is a rain or shine class but will be rescheduled for dangerous weather.

Materials Required: Transportation to and from Gulfside City Park ($5/hour parking fee not included). Students must provide their own field-appropriate clothes (shoes, hat, jacket, poncho, etc.).

Materials Recommended: Florida’s Living Beaches by Blair and Dawn Witherington

Materials Provided: Mini field lab notebook, pencil, laminated shell guide, and all materials necessary to collect micromollusks, phytoplankton, and conduct water quality testing.

Cost:$75 ($60 for Museum Members)

Maximum 8 students.

25th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival 2/27/2027 10:00 AM - 2/27/2027 4:00 PM

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:42:07 GMT

Join Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife (CCFW) for a fun-filled day as we celebrate the 25th Annual Burrowing Owl Festival Wildlife and Environmental Expo - a community event dedicated to Cape Coral's iconic and city bird - the burrowing owl! The exciting festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for wildlife lovers, families and everyone who cares about preserving our natural world. Enjoy live animal exhibits, guided wildlife tours, unique vendors, children's activities, food and beverages, guided tours of the Tom Allen Butterfly House and a silent auction as you explore the beauty and importance of Cape Coral's wildlife and environment.