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Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide

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Blood donations at dangerously low levels in Nebraska, nationwide


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Blood donations are at devastatingly low levels, leading some blood banks to declare emergency shortages.

It’s an issue in Nebraska and nationwide.

“We have not declared a blood emergency however we do have critical levels less than a 3-day supply of our overall blood supply,” said Kari Lundeen with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.

Lundeen told 6 News they’ve seen an increase in blood shortages in the last couple of years. They need a 7-day supply to be fully stocked.

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“We’ve seen a decline in donors really since 2016,” Lundeen said. “The pandemic of course did not help that decline in donors, mostly in our first-time donors and youth donors.”

The pandemic also stopped informational events, which were a primary way to encourage people to donate. Over the years, the FDA has also added new thresholds for blood donors.

“It’s really just educating people on the need for blood,” Lundeen said.

Scott Dobberpuhl gave blood Thursday. He’s donated at the Nebraska Community Blood Center eight times.

“It’s something I started in high school since the red cross would come or another blood bank would come,” Dobberpuhl said.

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And, he won’t be stopping any time soon.

“It just goes to a good cause, and everybody needs to be out there donating,” Dobberpuhl said.

This year, the blood bank’s goal is to reach out to more people through their blood drive center, whether they’re giving for the first time or do it regularly like Dobberpuhl.

“Whatever your blood type is we want you to come out and donate as soon as it comes in it goes right out to our hospitals,” Lundeen said.

Other blood banks like the Red Cross have declared an emergency blood shortage. They’re experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years.

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Those interested in giving blood can make an appointment by clicking here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.



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Nebraska

‘Breathtaking’: Through the Cornfields With Jesus in Nebraska Eucharistic Pilgrimage

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‘Breathtaking’: Through the Cornfields With Jesus in Nebraska Eucharistic Pilgrimage


The procession began quietly, with just the sound of footsteps crunching on gravel. The air was thick with incense, heavy with east Nebraska’s summer humidity and dust from the road. 

The silence was soon broken with the sound of bells and the voices of pilgrims and processors as they sang, “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine,” and followed Christ in the Eucharist. 

The procession — part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage taking place across the United States —  traveled from Cloisters on the Platte, an Ignatian silent retreat center near Omaha, to the Shrine of the Holy Family, a wayside chapel beloved by locals and travelers alike.

The front of the western route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage procession as it passes southwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

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The route followed a gravel road, visible from Interstate 80, which crossed through cornfields amid the distant hum of semitrucks and cars. Travelers on the Midwestern highway would find the spectacle an unusual sight — well over 500 Catholics quietly following a priest holding the Eucharist aloft under its canopy.

The pace was quick considering the summer heat and despite stops at the occasional water bottle stations set up along the road, and the nearly five-mile procession was arduous. A voice would frequently call out loudly for the crowd to move to one side to allow a car or truck to pass.

At the end of the procession, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, known by his faithful flock as “our Star Wars archbishop,” joked that while he began thinking of the pilgrimage as payment for his sins, he didn’t realize “just how many there were.”

The procession was part of the Junipero Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which began on the California coast more than a month ago. It is one of four national pilgrimages moving across the nation with the Eucharist, set to meet in Indianapolis in July for the National Eucharistic Congress.

It was also the meeting of two brother dioceses — parishioners from both Lincoln and Omaha gathered together for the pilgrimage. Bishop James Conley of Lincoln carried the monstrance, passing it on to Archbishop Lucas at the foot of the steep hill leading to the shrine in a ceremonial exchange marking the edge of his diocese.

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Bishop James Conley (center) of Lincoln, Nebraska, passes on the monstrance to Archbishop George Lucas (foreground) of Omaha during the Eucharistic procession southwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

Bishop James Conley (center) of Lincoln, Nebraska, passes on the monstrance to Archbishop George Lucas (foreground) of Omaha during the Eucharistic procession southwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

“We expect heat this time of year,” Lucas told CNA after the procession. “I was just thrilled that so many people were willing to bear the heat and walk — it was over four miles.”

“It reminds us of the heroic efforts of the pilgrims that are helping us have these processions. They’re all across the country, starting from the West Coast,” he said. “I’m really grateful to them.” 

One attendee, lifelong Catholic Timothy Swan, came to the pilgrimage after attending all-night adoration the night before at Risen Christ Cathedral in Lincoln. As it grew late and the initial crowd thinned, Swan recalled the cathedral becoming uncomfortably cold.

“Jesus is good,” he said. “It was great. The only thing is, I bet Jesus was cold … There were a couple of times I did go out to my car and turn on the heat. But it was a lot of fun.” 

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Swan has been joining parts of the Junipero Serra Route from his hometown in the northeast corner of Colorado to where he grew up in Omaha, attending events in Sterling and Fort Morgan, Colorado, as well as Lincoln and Omaha. 

“People have said that this must have been similar to the time when Jesus [lived] when the people followed him in large crowds, and then the woman with the hemorrhage just wanted to touch him,” he said of the processions. 

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage western route passes southwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage western route passes southwest of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

With heavy limbs and tired feet, the pilgrims made their way to the top of the hill to reach the end of the procession at the Shrine of the Holy Family, an unusual-looking building of cedar and glass that overlooks the surrounding fields and freeway, its latticed roof reaching into the clouds. 

The chapel is a repose for travelers, who may find solace in prayer by stopping in the wayside chapel, as well as travelers in spirit. 

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Archbishop Lucas carried the monstrance along a narrow dirt path lined with wildflowers and tall grass, making a final loop around the hilltop shrine. He entered the pleasantly cool shrine followed by a small number of processors who were able to fit inside.

The Eucharistic procession reaches the Holy Family Shrine, led by Bishop James Conley (center), as participants follow along the pathway around the shrine on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

The Eucharistic procession reaches the Holy Family Shrine, led by Bishop James Conley (center), as participants follow along the pathway around the shrine on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

Built in 1993, the intricately designed hilltop chapel was the inspiration of four Catholics who each (independently) shared a dream to build a roadside chapel for travelers.

The Eucharistic procession reaches the Holy Family Shrine near Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

The Eucharistic procession reaches the Holy Family Shrine near Omaha, Nebraska, on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

An eye-catching archway of interwoven trusses forms its structure, while within its glass walls, a unique water element meant to reference baptism is built into the flooring.

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The entrance to the shrine is marked by a cracked path with a pebbled waterway just under the surface. Small pools of water mark each pew, while a larger pool sits beneath the altar. 

The entrance of the Holy Family Shrine near Omaha, Nebraska, is marked by a cracked path with a pebbled waterway just under the surface. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

The entrance of the Holy Family Shrine near Omaha, Nebraska, is marked by a cracked path with a pebbled waterway just under the surface. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

The Holy Family’s image is etched in the largest window above the altar so subtly the image almost merges with the sky on a partly cloudy day like this one. As they reflect or pray, the glass walls offer visitors broad vistas of green fields stretching out in every direction. 

All was quiet except for the sound of trickling water flowing underneath the holy place, along with the murmur of song heard as the bishop brought the monstrance forward, blessing the processors with a final Benediction.

To those outside the chapel, Christ was still visible, seen through the glass walls. With the sunlight reflecting on the golden monstrance, the pilgrims inside and outside the shrine knelt before Jesus for an hour of adoration. 

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Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha raises the monstrance in Benediction at the Holy Family Shrine on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha raises the monstrance in Benediction at the Holy Family Shrine on June 21, 2024. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

One young woman inside the chapel bowed low before the altar, touching her face to the cool stone floor in reverence.

Just beyond the altar, the line of pilgrims and processors could be seen outside, waiting to enter into the small shrine.

One or two at a time, the processors left, taking a dirt path that led to a shuttle driven by a jovial driver, which took them back to their parking spots to make the ride home for the evening.     

Processors wait outside Holy Family Shrine at the conclusion of the pilgrimage on June 21, 2024, near Omaha, Nebraska. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

Processors wait outside Holy Family Shrine at the conclusion of the pilgrimage on June 21, 2024, near Omaha, Nebraska. Credit: Kate Quiñones/CNA

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Jonah Tran, 22, is a young adult leader in his local chapter of the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lincoln, Nebraska. He said the end of the procession was “breathtaking.”

“Being from Lincoln my whole life, I’ve been to this church many times before, but the only times I’ve gone have been just on my own personal trips, so just seeing it by myself,” he said.

“But now actually being here, seeing hundreds of people come here together and going into the church … It’s breathtaking, going in, seeing the church actually filled this time,” he said. 

“It’s amazing to see, especially being in Nebraska,” Tran said of the procession. “Being able to see individuals like myself who are Vietnamese, having this all in common — but [that it’s] not only within the Vietnamese community, [we’re seeing] how diverse things can be, but yet we’re all here for the same belief.”

“The thing that I noticed is that the average age of the group today was young,” Lucas said after the procession. “And so, as a person who’s not so young anymore, that makes me feel really good and very hopeful for the future.”

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“It just reminds me how many friends the Lord has here and how close he wants to be to all of us,” he said. 





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Sidney graduate Karsyn Leeling earns Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year

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Sidney graduate Karsyn Leeling earns Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year


SIDNEY, Neb. (KNOP) – Karsyn Leeling was named 2023-2024 Gatorade Nebraska Girls Track and Field Player of the Year. The Sidney High School athlete had a senior season to remember in track and field. In May she wrapped up her high school career with three Class B state championships claiming titles in the long jump, triple jump and the high jump. She would also break a state record in the high jump back in April.

Leeling went on to win a national title in the high jump at Nike Outdoor Nationals clearing six feet even to earn All-American honors.

She maintained a 3.66 PGA in the classroom and will continue her track and field career at the University of Nebraska this coming fall.

Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

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Pillen officially announces intent to call special session for Nebraska tax reform

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Pillen officially announces intent to call special session for Nebraska tax reform


LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen took the next step in securing a special session in the state’s legislature this summer.

Gov. Pillen on Tuesday sent a letter to Speaker John Arch, officially announcing his plans to call senators back to Lincoln on July 25. The purpose of the session is to make more headway on addressing property taxes in Nebraska.

“In my sine die address in April, I stated that I would call a special session this summer to facilitate another opportunity for us to meet Nebraskans’ demand that their elected leaders fix this crisis now,” read the Governor’s letter, in part. “I have traveled extensively across the state since the Legislature adjourned and have heard from a wide range of people. Their message is clear: stop this massive overall tax increase by fixing property taxes.”

Gov. Pillen has been hosting town halls across the state over the past two months since the legislative session ended, working to educate Nebraskans on what he calls a “tax crisis.”

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He still has several of those meetings planned:

Wednesday, June 26

1:30 p.m. (CT) Columbus: Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 753 33rd Ave, Columbus

Thursday, June 27

10:00 a.m. (CT) Valentine: Mid Plains Community College, 715 E Hwy 20, Valentine

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1:00 p.m. (MT) Chadron: Chadron State College, Student Center – Lakota Room, 1000 Main Street, Chadron

4:30 p.m. (MT) Alliance: Westside Events Center, 2472 County Road 62, Alliance

Friday, June 28

8:30 a.m. (MT) Ogallala: Petrified Wood Gallery, 418 East 1st Street, Ogallala

1:00 p.m. (CT) McCook: Coppermill Steakhouse, 202 Coppermill St., McCook

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4:00 p.m. (CT) Lexington: Central Community College – The Opportunity Center, 1501 Plum Creek Pkwy, Lexington

Along with slashing property taxes, Gov. Pillen also wants to ensure that the legislature knows he will call a special session regarding other “unfinished business” leftover from the 2024 legislative session, which could include Nebraska’s move to a “winner-take-all” state during elections.



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