• CHEER: We have to start with the Buffalo Bills. Much like this season as a whole, it wasn’t pretty at times this past Sunday against the Dolphins but the team pulled it together at the end and Buffalo is this year’s AFC East champion and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Who saw that coming after a couple of those bad losses a few weeks back? This year’s wild ride continues with a matchup against the Steelers on Sunday. After that? The sky could be the limit for this team. You certainly can never count them out.
• CHEER: It’s a big year for Catholic Charities of Buffalo’s annual Appeal. This season’s “Drive that never fails” is the 100th edition of the fundraising campaign. The first Appeal launched in 1924 with a goal of $262,116. It was met and exceeded with a total of $325,808 raised. In the 99 years of the Appeal, close to half a billion dollars has been raised to provide help and hope to those who need it most. This year’s drive has a goal of $9.5 million by June 30. “While things have certainly changed over the past 100 years, the mission of the Appeal itself is much the same — raising money to help people in need in Western New York,” said Kevin Gannon, Appeal 2024 chair. “The very first Appeal in 1924 served about 12,500 people. Today, Catholic Charities provides hope to more than 145,000 individuals of all ages and of all faiths.” To donate to Appeal 2024, visit ccwny.org/donate or call 716-218-1400.
• JEER: American Red Cross officials say the organization is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in. It’s a continuing trend — over the past 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. There is good news — “Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion,” Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross, said. “Donors of all types – especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets – are urged to give now.” Here are a couple of blood drives on the horizon: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Youngstown Fire Hall, 625 3rd St., Youngstown and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Lockport Family YMCA, Lockport Family YMCA, 5833 Snyder Drive, Lockport. In addition, the Red Cross and the NFL are partnering during this month’s National Blood Donor Month with donors entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).