June suggests:
>
> May I suggest that everyone who can, go and donate a pint of blood.
> Reserves in the U.S. were low to begin with, and these disasters have
> just about depleted the supply.
>
> Call your local Red Cross to find out where you can go to
> donate blood...

The Red Cross in Portland, OR has been completely swamped.  They are
requesting that people wait a few days to call.  The need for blood will
continue for some time.  Whole blood can be stored for a few weeks, but
platelets can only be stored for 5 days.  They don't want people to forget
their desire to "do something" but today is not the day to donate blood, at
least in Portland.


Karin