Sam Spencer gave blood the maximum 7 times in 2012. (CBCC photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

In September, Sam Spencer IV of Davidson found himself up against an unusual deadline – to make a blood donation. It turns out you can give blood every 56 days under federal health rules, and Mr. Spencer, 27, had set a goal of donating the maximum seven times during the year.

He had missed chances to give earlier in the month because he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Read the full story

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Safe Alliance, formerly United Family Services, says its domestic violence support group in the Lake Norman region will resume every-other-week meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 9. The meetings let women discuss common issues and concerns and build support networks as they cope with an abusive relationship. Read the full story

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Chart shows this year’s flu season is producing more visits earlier in the season (SOURCE: State Department of Health)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.Net

The flu season is hitting earlier and harder this fall in North Carolina – and it can be deadly. A dozen North Carolina adults have died from complications of the flu virus since mid-November, including four last week. And state health officials say reports of flu-like illnesses have continued to increase above what’s usually seen at this time of year.

Get a flu shot! See more information below.
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By NICOLETTE LABRIJN

Everyone has heard of diabetes, but few are well-informed unless they are directly associated with the disease. When most people think of diabetes, they think of the form of diabetes that can be the result of lifestyle and health issues, including weight, diet, lack of exercise, and old age. This is Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease. But another form, Type 1, is just as important to learn about: It is a disease where the immune system begins to attack itself causing the pancreas to produce little to no insulin. Read the full story

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