Donors Urged To Give Blood At One Of Five San Diego Blood Bank Donor
Centers Located Around The County

http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org/blood_donors/donor_centers.php
An emergency blood shortage continues as the wildfires still raging
in San Diego County force the San Diego Blood Bank to cancel mobile
blood drives for the third consecutive day. All San Diego Blood Bank
donor centers will be open during normal hours of operation: North
County Donor Center, Escondido, 10 am to 6 pm; North Coastal Donor
Center, Vista, 8 am to 4 pm; East County Donor Center, El Cajon, 10
am to 6 pm; South Bay Donor Center, National City, 10 am to 6 pm,
San Diego Blood Bank main center, Hillcrest, 9 am to 7:30 pm. The
blood bank had issued an urgent appeal for donors of all types last
Thursday as blood supplies fell to near zero levels.

"There has been an outpouring of support from San Diego blood
donors," said Lynn Stedd blood bank spokesperson. "As we are forced
to cancel more blood drives, we need that support to continue."

For more information, call 1-800-4MY-SDBB


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Blood Emergency Declared As Wildfires Force Cancellation Of Several
Blood Drives
A blood emergency has been declared by the San Diego Blood Bank as
wildfires throughout San Diego County closed freeways and cancelled
blood drives today. The blood bank had issued an urgent appeal last
Thursday as blood supplies fell to near zero levels.

"Now with blood drives cancelled, the San Diego Blood Bank has
declared a blood emergency and is extending its hours at its East
County Donor Center, 680 Fletcher Parkway (corner of Fletcher
Parkway and Johnson St.), tomorrow Monday, October 27, from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m., as well as its main location at 440 Upas St. (corner of
Fifth Ave. and Upas St.), from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.and urging all
eligible donors to give blood now," said Lynn Stedd, of the blood
bank.


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Emergency Declared As Blood Supply Plummets
The San Diego Blood Bank is declaring an emergency as seven of the
eight blood types are at near zero levels. The types affected
include O positive, the most frequently occurring type in the
population; and O negative, the "universal" type used in
emergencies. The blood bank encourages donors of all blood types to
give now at any location listed below or any bloodmobile.

"During the past two weeks blood donations have fallen by more than
20%, while the high demand for blood has not changed," said Lynn
Stedd of the blood bank.

Typically October is not a time when the blood supply drops so
dramatically, however, the year 2003 has seen greater blood
shortages both regionally and nationally.


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Donors Awarded A 2-for-1 Voucher For A Hornblower Whale Watching
Adventure
San Diego Blood Bank awards donors a voucher for a free Hornblower
Whale Watching Adventure throughout the month of October.

Donating blood can lead to an adventure on the open sea! Anyone who
gives blood at a San Diego Blood Bank donor center will be awarded a
2-for-1 voucher for a Hornblower Whale Watching Adventure,
compliments of Hornblower Cruises & Events.

Between December and March, the California Gray whale travels to the
warm waters of the Baja Coast to give birth to their young. On the
return trip, the young calves can frequently be seen swimming at
their mother's side. The whale watching season begins on December 13
and reservations are suggested.

San Diego Blood Bank donors will also be awarded a limited
edition "Surfer" T-shirt in October.

http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org/blood_donors/donor_centers.php