Local Red Cross branches are accepting blood and monetary donations to aid relief efforts in New York and Washington, D.C. \n"This region is making 80,000 units of blood available," disaster services volunteer Tom Ross said. Available units, which will be used as necessary by the national division of the American Red Cross, are being made from current reserve supplies. \nInterested donors are advised to call ahead for an appointment, said Red Cross employee Simone Vigilante. As of Tuesday morning, many donors were waiting in line. No additional donor sites are planned since regional bloodmobiles are being used in Louisville. \n"Right now we are taking as many people as we possibly can," Vigilante said. \nAll blood types are needed. Interested donors must be at least 17 years of age, 110 pounds and in good health. Also, donors must wait one year after receiving a tattoo or unsterile piercing before donating. The donor must not have been to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Mann or the Channel Islands for six months or more between 1980 and 1996. If on antibiotics, donors must wait to give blood until three days after their last dose. \nVolunteers are also advised to eat before donating and must fill out a personal questionnaire to be eligible. Donors should follow up their visits by drinking plenty of liquids.\n"For the most part, (the donation process) is no problem," Vigilante said. \nBlood Centers will remain open past the normal closing time of 8 p.m. if necessary, according to a press release. All mobile blood drives for Wednesday have been moved to allow staff to collect more blood at the fixed sites, according to a press release. \nMonetary donations are also being accepted at the national level to aid in relief services. Relief efforts will cost the Red Cross millions of dollars, Ross said. Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross and earmarked for the New York and Washington, D.C., disaster. They can be mailed or delivered in person to the local chapter. \nSome local volunteers will also head to disaster scenes to aid victims. So far, most of the volunteers deal in mental health, Ross said.
RED CROSS ADDRESSES:\nBloomington Red Cross\n(812) 331-1300 (Blood Services)\n409 E. Seventh St.\nBloomington, IN 47408\nNormal Hours:\nMonday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.\nFriday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.\nSaturday 8 a.m. to noon
Columbus Community Blood Center\n(812) 375-1724\n1427 Washington Street\nColumbus IN, 47201\nNormal Hours:\nMonday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nTuesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nWednesday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.\nFriday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
