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Area still needs blood Red Cross officials say no supplies were destroyed in region By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Although the American Red Cross must destroy tens of thousands of pints of blood nationally, regional officials say they still need more blood here. "The holiday seasons are upon us," said Deb Hedding, regional public affairs director. "Traditionally our blood levels go down." The Washington Post Saturday reported that the Red Cross knowingly collected blood donations that could not be used following the Sept. 11 attacks - and that it has destroyed thousands of pints of blood too old to use. But Hedding said Monday that no blood has been destroyed in the Northwest. "We want nothing more than to let people know that their blood will be used," Hedding said. "We completely understand the feelings people have about blood utilization. We'll not be asking for blood unless we need it." News about discarded blood didn't stop Southern Oregon residents from rolling up their sleeves Monday. A steady stream of donors visited the Medford office of the American Red Cross on Progress Drive. "I'm unhappy about what happened but somebody still has to give blood," said Medford resident and longtime donor Cecelia Rayburn. "We still need it. It's not stopping me." "It was awful," agreed Florence Dellosa of Medford. "But we do what we can. That's why we're here." The number of participants and the amount of blood collected throughout the day was not available Monday night. Officials referred all inquiries to the Portland office, which did not have Medford figures. Donors such as Gail Smith of Central Point came despite the negative reports. "I feel it's better to have too much than not enough," Smith said. "I would rather lose a little than not have it when we need it." Hedding said only small amounts of red cells, which are thrown away on a regular basis, have been discarded in the Pacific Northwest region. The region includes 80 hospitals in Oregon, Washington and southeast Alaska. Prior to Sept. 11, the region had a blood shortage, Hedding said. While that's no longer the case, the Red Cross continues to seek donations regionally because levels traditionally fall during the holiday months, when people miss more appointments than usual, Hedding said. She suggested that residents who still have reservations about giving blood that might not be used make an appointment several months from now. Community members who are 17 years old or older, weigh more than 110 pounds and are in good health are still being asked to donate blood in the Rogue Valley. For a schedule or to make an appointment, call the Medford office at 773-3813. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.