In Western Ny - What you can do to help.
Sep 13 '01
The Bottom Line We can all help in some way or another.
Terror struck just a few hours away from us in our very own state. What can you do to help?
The most common thing people are being asked to do is to Donate Blood. The waits to donate blood are lengthy, but if you can donate - please consider it. Waits have been anywhere from 3-4 hrs. Today I read a news report that said the blood banks here were full to capacity today, but to please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. They have set up several satellite locations. The Red Cross especially needs type O-negative. Type O-negative is the universal blood type that can be given to people with any blood type. Only 5 percent of people have this blood type. If you know you have this blood type and can donate, please do!
Before giving blood evaluate your lifestyle and ask these questions. You may not qualify to donate blood for a variety of reasons.
Qualifications
-You must be off of medications for 48 hrs before donating. No aspirin for 72 hrs before donating
-If you are pregnant or nursing, you can't give blood.
-If you know that you have a tendency to faint, be sure to state this.
-If you've have/had serious illnesses (such as cancer, AIDS, hepatitis, TB) in most cases you will not be able to donate. If you have ever tested positive for HIV, have engaged in high risk behavior, or have had intimate contact with anyone at risk for AIDS you cannot donate.
-Meet weight requirements (105 for whole blood, 110 for platelets or 115 for plasma). Also you need to be at least 17 and have not given blood within the past 8 weeks
-If you have traveled during non-daylight hours to a malaria ridden country, or someone in your family has.
-If you have had any RECENT open cavity surgeries, you MAY not be able to donate this will depend on what type of procedure you had.
-If you have gotten a tattoo or a piercing, or have been engaging in needle or bloodplay, within 1 yr, then you cannot donate blood to Red Cross
If you don't qualify to donate blood, then Donate something else to the Red Cross. (i.e. Food, clothing, money). You can donate via a credit card, mail, or in person. Donations can be made by calling 241-4417. Secure credit card donations can also be made online at http://www.Rochester RedCross.org
You can also participate in a letter writing campaign that is being organized by a local woman from Irondequoit. She ran a similar campaign during the Persian Gulf War. The campaign has people writing letters to help open communications between people here in Rochester and people who have been directly affected by the terrorist attacks. Lawyers will write other lawyers, Students writing other students, teachers will write to teachers, mothers will write to other mothers, etc. There are drop off boxes getting set up at town halls in the area. For more info, visit the link below:
http://www.rnews.com/Story.cfm?ID=3041&rnews_story_type=18
Several other local actions are taking place, here are just a few of them.
If you live in the town of Hilton, NY
Hilton residents are putting white ribbons on their trees Thursday. Next week, collection boxes for teddy bear donations will be placed in businesses. They are also circulating a special banner in the school district buildings for people to sign. For more info, call the district's community assets coordinator at 392-1000, extension 6061.
Donate while doing your regular shopping
If you shop at Chase Pitkin
Chase-Pitkin (a Home & Garden store sort of like a local Home Depot) will make a donation to the American Red Cross for every U.S. flag purchased in its stores over the next seven days.
If you shop for your groceries at Wegmans
Wegmans will begin a checkout donation program today that will make it possible for customers to donate $1 or more to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The money is going directly to help victims of the attacks in NYC and DC and their families.
Donate cans and bottles instead of redeeming them.
The Canandaigua Police Department and the local chapter of the Salvation Army will hold a can-and-bottle drive. The Salvation Army will accept donations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow and from 8 a.m. to noon at 110 Saltonstall St. Call 394-6968 for more info. They won't be accepting food and clothing.
More ways to help will be announced in the news, the local paper, etc.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
marytara
|
 in Education, Kids & Family |
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: MT
Location: Jersey Shore
Reviews written: 915
Trusted by: 634 members
About Me:
email to suggest a product for Kids & Family/Education
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.