Full Post Style

Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) – A friendly competition is turning into a life-saving mission across Idaho. Air Idaho Rescue, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC), and the American Red Cross are teaming up to host the “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive Challenge, encouraging Idahoans to donate blood and support local first responders.

The statewide competition invites donors to give blood at any American Red Cross location through Wednesday, April 29th. Each donation earns points for a selected team, adding a competitive twist to an effort to address a nationwide blood shortage.

Participants can choose between two teams:

• Team A Positive: representing Air Idaho’s rotor-wing crews, EMS, and area fire departments
• Team O Positive: representing Air Idaho’s fixed-wing crews and local law enforcement

Each unit of blood donated can help save up to three lives, according to organizers. Certain donations—such as Power Red, O-negative blood types, first-time donors, and donations made on the final day of the competition—can earn double points.

Organizers say the need for blood is constant, especially for emergency responders like Air Idaho Rescue. Their aircraft operate as flying intensive care units, equipped with life-saving tools and even blood supplies that can be administered mid-flight to patients experiencing severe blood loss.

“Everyone is invited to help combat the nationwide blood shortage by donating,” said Air Methods Account Executive Jill Egan. “Every donation is worth one point in our competition. When people donate, they can choose to join Team A+ so their point goes to the Air Idaho rotor wing, EMS, and firefighter team, or Team O+ so their point goes to the Air Idaho fixed-wing and law enforcement team. Double points are given for power red and O-negative blood, rookie donors, and donations made on April 29, which is the last day of the competition.”

The competition will wrap up April 29 with an awards ceremony announcing the winning team—but organizers emphasize the real goal goes far beyond bragging rights.

They’re encouraging everyone who can donate to step up, pick a team, and help save lives.

To participate, donors can register through the American Red Cross website and schedule an appointment at a donation center near them.

Idaho Falls, Idaho (KIFI) — Getting in to see a doctor in Idaho is not always easy. For many, it is not just about cost, but distance, availability, and even finding a provider in the first place.

A mobile clinic from Optum is working to close that gap by bringing preventative care directly to communities across eastern Idaho.

This week, the clinic is making stops in Idaho Falls, Ammon and Pocatello, offering free visits to eligible patients through its partnership with UnitedHealthcare.

“The mobile clinic is just an opportunity for us to get out into the communities where our members live and share access to quality, preventative health care services,” said Jim Tett, Optum manager of clinical operations. “We understand people may have mobility restrictions or transportation concerns, so it’s an advantage to bring it as close as possible.”

Inside the mobile unit, patients can meet with a provider, review medications and medical history, and receive a variety of screenings in a single visit. Services include checks for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoporosis, along with other preventative tests.

Tett said the goal is to catch health issues early, especially for patients who may not be regularly seeing a doctor.

“We know transportation and access to care can be difficult, so catching people who are not routinely following up with their doctor is a priority for us,” he said. “If we can catch something earlier and get them treated, or get them established with a primary care physician, that’s the goal.”

In one case, Tett said a patient who had delayed care received a serious warning during a visit.

“They were on a path where they likely would not have survived another year,” he said. “They were able to get the care they needed and make those changes, and now they’re in a much better place.”

Healthcare providers say demand for services like this is growing in Idaho, where rural communities and a shortage of providers can make access more difficult. Population growth combined with provider retirements has added to the challenge.

The mobile clinic primarily serves patients on UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans and coordinates care with their primary care physicians. Organizers say the service has seen increased demand since launching in Idaho and continues to expand to more locations.

Looking ahead, Optum is working to grow the program even further, including the possibility of bringing care directly to patients’ homes through a smaller mobile unit.

For now, organizers say the focus remains on meeting patients where they are and helping them stay ahead of potential health issues.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — There will be no school at Skyline High School tomorrow, April 22nd, due to maintenance issues.

D91 Maintenance is working with crews including a maintenance contractor, to address issues with the AC system.

District Leaders say the safety of students and staff is their highest priority. They also recognize that this cancellation brings Skyline very close to the minimum amount of instructional hours required for the school year.

District 91 says that adjustments to the schedule are needed, that will be communicated as soon as possible.