With the American Red Cross taking the rare step of sending blood to Haiti, local Rotarians are encouraging people to donate blood at a local Red Cross blood drive in Andover on Tuesday, Jan 26. The local inventory of Type O negative blood is currently at an emergency level, according to the Red Cross.
People can attend the blood drive at Wingate, 80 Andover St., Andover, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 from 2 to 7 p.m.
While Red Cross Blood Services is not often asked to send blood out of the country because of the huge local need, Monday morning it shipped 400 units of type O- blood to Haiti, according to Kerry Ellen Enright, an account executive for donor recruitment in Dedham, Mass.
"The American Red Cross continues to respond to the tragic event in Haiti with financial assistance, relief supplies, and personnel," according to a release. "To date, the Red Cross is meeting any requests for blood due to this tragedy through current supplies. At this time, we do not anticipate the need for a special blood donor appeal to support our humanitarian efforts in Haiti."
However, with the local inventory of Type O negative blood at an emergency level, the organization says Type O negative donors are encouraged to donate blood to ensure there is an adequate supply for local or emergency needs.
Since Type O negative blood can be used for any patient when there is not time to determine the patient’s blood type, it is crucial that there is a sufficient supply, according to the Red Cross.
RED CROSS RELEASE ON HAITI
The following is a release from the American Red Cross about how local people can best contribute to the disaster response in Haiti:
On Jan. 12, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. The American Red Cross is responding to this tragic event with financial assistance, relief supplies and personnel. Below are some ways in which you can help.

DONATIONS
At this time, what we need the most are financial contributions – whether by check, online or by phone. The American Red Cross and other organizations leading the efforts in Haiti most need financial gifts in order to best serve the victims. Things like clothes are not helpful right now because there is nowhere to store them, no one to sort them, and it would be difficult to transport the items to Haiti. One good way to turn clothes into cash is to have a garage sale and then donate the money to the relief efforts.
People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation through their local American Red Cross chapter, at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort sponsored by Mobile Accord. Mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a ten dollar donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The $10 charge is added to your phone bill.
VOLUNTEERING
Thank you for your interest and we understand your desire to deploy. The American Red Cross is not deploying spontaneous volunteers to Haiti. If you would like to help on a local level we encourage you to register as a local volunteer to assist us in answering phones and the additional internal work required to support an International Disaster.
Please contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information on providing assistance. Also listen to your local media outlets for agencies that are deploying volunteers.
SAFE AND WELL INQUIRIES
If you are concerned about a U.S. citizen living or traveling in another country, you may call the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747 for assistance. Please be patient as there is a large volume of calls.
Otherwise, we encourage you to continue to try to reach them via telephone, social networking sites or through a loved one outside the disaster zone.
