Red Cross makes a plea for donations

The American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund is empty.
As Tropical Storm Isabel continues along the Eastern Seaboard, the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross urges local residents to support the relief effort with financial and blood donations.
The Red Cross said that because of a decrease in financial support and an increase in disasters, its National Disaster Relief Fund is empty and the national blood inventory is low.
The relief fund is used to provide immediate emergency assistance to the victims of disasters that hit communities across the nation about 186 times daily.
The low local and national blood supply inventory could be made worse by Isabel, David H. Plate, CEO of the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region, said.
Areas of concern
Plate says he has two major concerns:
UThe local Northern Ohio region is so low on blood inventory that it is having trouble providing enough blood to local patients. If Isabel victims need blood, there is not enough inventory to help out.
UIf the Northern Ohio region continues to run low on blood, there might not be enough to meet the needs of local patients. Often when Northern Ohio has a shortage, it is able to receive blood from Red Cross regions across the United States. This won't be the case if regions need to ship blood to Isabel victims.
People can find a blood drive near them by calling (800) 448-3543. Blood-drive information is also available on the Internet at www.redcross.org/northernohio.
To make a financial donation, call (800) 435-7669 or (800) 257-7575 (Spanish). Also, contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.