[anymouse]

If all FReepers donate at least 10% of what they donated to FR or just a pint of blood, it will make a big difference for those injured in this tragedy.

We can and will do more, but this is a good first steep.

[craig_eddy]

Just donated. All FReepers do the same.

God Bless the United States of America

[anymouse]

Meant "step".

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

LifeSource is the major blood collection operation in Chicago.

List of LifeSource Chicago-area Centers

[Darheel]

Done.

[steveegg]

Doing (or at least trying; Red Cross's site is bogged down right now.

[2ndMostConservativeBrdMember]

I suggest everyone call their local hospital and Red Cross center and find out if a local blood drive has been organized. I just called mine and they hadn't done anything yet. They are now checking on doing that. I said we shouldn't wait until blood is being called for and needed. We should organize to get it now so that it is available when calls come to them for it. We need to get them thinking ahead. There will be many people in NY and maybe DC needing blood. Let's make sure it's there for them and they don't have to wait for it.

Thank you for posting this thread. We should all take you suggestions very seriously and act on them immediately.

[lepton]

The suburbs around NYC are running out of supplies to collect blood in. Red Cross shipping in materials for more collection tomorrow.

[FreeInWV]

Just got back from donating. The red cross had previously planned a blood drive at the local mall. It was overrun with people. They were lined up out into the mall.

Before going, I sent a site-wide email at work encouraging everyone there to donate. Many people indicated that they would. If possible, do this at your work as well. Most likely it will save someones life.

[steveegg]

BTTT.

Just a reminder that a constant supply of donated blood will be needed over the next several weeks. If your part of the country has been anything like the Milwaukee area, there have been droves of people who answered the call for blood. Indeed, there were so many here, the local blood centers had to turn people away. Don't let this think that there is enough blood to last the next several weeks, though.