By Jenny Peterson
Burn Care, Closer to Home
Children recovering from serious burns will soon have expanded access to specialized care in Charleston. Shriners Children’s announced it is opening a new outpatient pediatric burn clinic in partnership with MUSC Health, building on more than five years of pediatric burn care through the MUSC Health South Carolina Burn Center.
The clinic, located at 125 Doughty St. downtown, will offer follow-up care including rehabilitation, scar management and reconstructive services. It is expected to begin seeing patients this fall.
More Shelf Help
James Island Outreach now has more room to help more neighbors. The nonprofit reopened its newly-renovated Wellness Pantry, now with more space for food and more room for volunteers who help assist neighbors with basic and emergency needs. The expanded pantry celebrated with a ribbon cutting in late July attended by community partners, including representatives from 30 churches, local businesses, donors and volunteers. The organization received its Wellness Pantry Certification from the Lowcountry Food Bank, recognizing its focus on providing nutritious food.
Goodbye Walgreens. Hello Cell Therapy
A longtime downtown Walgreens at Ashley Avenue and Calhoun Street, across from MUSC, has closed as the site makes way for a new MUSC Integrated Center for Cellular Therapy. The center will support research and treatment development using cellular therapies for conditions including cancer, diabetes and sickle cell disease. The Walgreens drugstore and pharmacy closed this summer, clearing the way for the next chapter of the prominent medical campus site.
THC Bill Goes Up In Smoke
South Carolina House lawmakers rejected a bill that would have significantly restricted hemp-derived THC products. The bill would have lowered milligram limits on gummies and beverages sold at retail stores and moved higher milligram items to liqour stores. It also would have prohibited THC drink sales in bars and restaurants and set a statewide age limit of 21.
Supporters said THC products pose a public safety risk and are too easily accessible to children. Opponents argued the restrictions would force hundreds of small businesses to close or shift their sales.
For now, the state’s retail market remains unchanged, leaving all hemp-derived THC products available at retailers and restaurants.
The issue could be revisited if federal restrictions on allowable THC levels take effect in November.
