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.

Fort Myers Community Concert Series 2027 Season 1/12/2027 7:30 PM - 3/10/2027 7:30 PM

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:09:05 GMT

Fort Myers Community Concert Association Announces 2027 Season with Five Performances.

January 12, 2027- Manhattan Chamber Players, January 19- Opera's Top Hits Performed by Great International Voices, February 10 - The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, February 24th - The Festival Strings of Lucerne with Violinist Midori and March 10 - Tango Argentina.

All performances are held at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on the Florida SouthWestern State College Campus in Fort Myers. All five concerts are included in one ticket price, which ranges from $65 to $165. For membership information, visit www.fortmyerscommunityconcerts.org or call 239-693-4849.

Shelling and Beach Walks at Sundial Resort 2/5/2027 9:00 AM - 2/5/2027 10:00 AM

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:36:30 GMT

Join marine biologists and educators from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium for guided walks along Sanibel’s shores at Sundial Resort in search of shells and other forms of local marine life. Learn about some of the island’s most beloved and rare shells as well as the mollusks that grow them.

As you gain tips on shelling and find shells, you learn how to identify them and what makes them unique. You will also learn how mollusks fit into our local beach ecosystems that also include birds, turtles, and a wide range of tropical wildlife.

Shelling and Beach Walks are approximately 45-60 minutes. Attendees are encouraged to wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle and a bag for the shells you collect. Participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

All walks will begin at 9am. Maximum of 10 participants.

Cost: $15 per adult; $5 per member or child

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.

2027 Annual Gala - Mysteries of the Deep 2/6/2027 5:00 PM - 2/6/2027 10:00 PM

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:11:15 GMT

Join us at Mysteries of the Deep – a Masquerade Ball benefiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium. Enjoy an evening of elegance and intrigue in attire fit for a Gothic-inspired ball, a Venetian-inspired Carnival, or your own masquerade interpretation! Or, come dressed however you are most comfortable, and we’ll provide a mask if you’d like!

Attendees will enjoy an evening of camaraderie at The Community House, live music by the Rockefellers, and a delicious dinner catered by Savour First Choice Catering.

The evening raises funds for the Museum’s educational mission with an exciting auction of original items and experiences and a Paddles Up!

Purchase tickets or sponsorships online at https://shellmuseum.org/gala/

Golden Olives: Creative Aging at the Shell Museum and Aquarium 2/10/2027 9:00 AM - 2/10/2027 12:00 Noon

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:54:54 GMT

Explore various art forms, learn techniques, and make new friends in this new eight-session workshop. Golden Olives is designed for adults ages 55+ and encourages creativity, connection, happiness, and the many health benefits of these outcomes.

In this workshop, participants will learn techniques for making mosaics, embroidery, watercolor painting, and modeling air dry clay. A certified art teacher will instruct in a welcoming environment and engage with attendees to foster inspiration and well-being. At the final session, participants will have the opportunity to display their work.

Registration includes all sessions, and students are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the program. All materials are included in the registration fee.

Pre-registration is required. Participants must be 55+ to register. Please contact Director of Education Jorden Falker with inquiries: jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

Maximum of 12 participants.

Cost: $100; Members: $75

Golden Olives: Creative Aging at the Shell Museum and Aquarium 2/17/2027 9:00 AM - 2/17/2027 12:00 Noon

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:54:57 GMT

Registration includes all sessions, and students are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the program. All materials are included in the registration fee.

Pre-registration is required. Participants must be 55+ to register. Please contact Director of Education Jorden Falker with inquiries: jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

Maximum of 12 participants.

Cost: $100; Members: $75

Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Strolls 2/20/2027 6:00 AM - 2/20/2027 7:30 AM

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:23:56 GMT

Join a marine biologist from the Museum on an early-morning, low-tide beach walk to learn about Sanibel’s local mollusks and their shells, and to search for live mollusks. These small group experiences will help participants gain a closer understanding of molluscan biology and biodiversity, and with the cooler seasonal temperatures and timing with very low tides, they are excellent shelling conditions and a good opportunity to find and observe living mollusks. All walks take place at Gulfside City Park on Sanibel and last approximately 60-90 minutes.

Maximum of 15 participants.

Cost: $15 for adults; Adult Museum Member: $5; Child: $5

Golden Olives: Creative Aging at the Shell Museum and Aquarium 2/24/2027 9:00 AM - 2/24/2027 12:00 Noon

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:54:59 GMT

Registration includes all sessions, and students are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the program. All materials are included in the registration fee.

Pre-registration is required. Participants must be 55+ to register. Please contact Director of Education Jorden Falker with inquiries: jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

Maximum of 12 participants.

Cost: $100; Members: $75

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.