Reservations urged for those wanting to donate blood

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2001 | 10:21 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Las Vegans who want to donate blood today will be asked to fill out an appointment card instead and return next week, a spokesman for United Blood Services said this morning.

More than 1,500 people in the Las Vegas area have donated blood since Tuesday's attacks, and the organization is nearly out of blood bags, said spokesman Dan Perlstein. Arrangements are being made with the National Guard to obtain more bags, he said.

"At the rate we were going, we would have run out of bags by 10 a.m. today," Perlstein said. "There's a lot of patriotism in this community, for which we are very grateful."

To schedule a donation appointment, call United Blood Services at 223-9620.

The eagerness of Nevadans to help out by donating blood mirrored enthusiasm across the country. But in some regions rival blood donor programs are sending mixed messages to thousands of Americans, who are finding long lines as they do the only thing they can think of to help.

Independent blood centers, including the New York center, say they have plenty of blood right now and suggested donors come back in a few days.

But the American Red Cross continued to actively encourage donations, saying any extra units can be frozen and arguing that now is the time that shocked and saddened Americans are motivated to help.

"People want to give blood now. We are not in a position of saying, 'Go away and we'll call you back on our terms,' " said Dr. Bernadine Healy, president of the American Red Cross.

"They want to give a piece of themselves. They want to help their fellow Americans. This is an act of mourning. This is healing their wounds too."

Early Wednesday, President Bush asked White House staff to give blood to aid victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks, and a donor center was set up in the building next door.

But by early evening, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson cautioned would-be donors that blood banks are at capacity, and suggested they wait a few days to donate.

"As of noon yesterday (Tuesday), most blood banks had all the blood they could store," Thompson said. "We would like people to make appointments to give blood, but not necessarily give blood today or tomorrow."

Thompson made an exception for those who have type O and Rh negative blood, which emergency workers still say they need.

Overwhelmed by shock and grief, thousands of Americans have filled blood donor centers in New York, Washington and across the country, often waiting several hours for their turn to donate.

"It makes you feel like you're contributing in some way," said Dr. Bryan M. Steinberg, who waited in line Tuesday at the Washington Hospital Center.

"The areas hit hardest have received plenty of blood and continue to receive blood types that are most in demand, so new donors are not necessary right now," said Jeanne Dariotis, president of America's Blood Centers, which supplies half the nation's blood supply.

Spokeswoman Melissa McMillan added that if donors want to wait in line, they are welcome to do so but said it was not necessary because they can make appointments to come back later.

"We can't say, 'We have enough blood for today. We've gotten through this tragedy,' and wipe our brow," Healy said. "We have Secretary (of State Colin) Powell saying this is war. This is a war. We have an obligation to make sure this nation is prepared."

The Red Cross said so many donations have flooded in that it will begin the unusual step of freezing some blood so none is wasted.