[CR]Local Red Cross Response to Terrorist Attacks

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2001 16:32:23 -0700
To: "classicrendezvous-bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Scott Goldstein" <sgpnet@earthlink.net>
Subject: [CR]Local Red Cross Response to Terrorist Attacks

Local Red Cross Response to Terrorist Attacks Posted: 1:00 pm PDT, Sept. 11, 2001 MEDIA CONTACT: B.V. Castillo, (213) 739-4511 LOS ANGELES - American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles crisis counselors and other disaster response workers are responding to aid families of passengers on the airplanes hijacked and crashed in this morning's terrorist attacks. Trained Red Cross mental health counselors will be providing emotional support and comfort for families who have lost loved ones. In addition, Red Cross canteen service will provide snacks and drinks for the families and emergency workers. Both United Airlines and American Airlines have set up "Friends and Family Assistance Centers," United at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel and American in the Marriott Hotel, both near the airport. American. Red Cross disaster workers will be at both locations. The Southern California Red Cross Regional Blood Services has extended it's operating hours at donor centers to answer the call for donors to provide blood for the injured in New York and Washington, D.C. Local residents who wish to donate blood should call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) for the location of their nearest donation center. The Federal Response Plan for Aviation Disasters designates the American Red Cross as the lead agency to provide family care and mental health services for victims of air disasters and their families. The family care component includes all support services that could help survivors, family members and response workers deal with the trauma and activities that occur following an aviation disaster. The national American Red Cross Aviation Incident Response (AIR) team has been deployed to New York. In addition, Red Cross chapters in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania are providing assistance at the sites of the attacks. The American Red Cross is determined to help the victims and survivors of the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Our greatest need at the moment is for blood. Because the Red Cross operates a national blood system we are able to divert blood and blood products from Southern California to New York and Washington, DC where the need will be the greatest. Red Cross stands ready to send 50,000 units of blood into the affected areas as needed. The blood appointment line, 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543), is very busy, but we are asking people to continue to try to get through to schedule a time to give blood. Red Cross blood centers will be operating on extended hours to try to accommodate the need for blood. The American Red Cross is also accepting donations for the disaster relief fund to help the victims of this and other disasters. Those wishing to donate may call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or visit the website at http://www.redcross-la.org/donations. Those wishing to donate by check can designate it to the disaster relief fund and send it to:

American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles 2700 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90057 The American Red Cross is not a government agency, but relies on the voluntary contributions of time, blood and money from the American people.

---