FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blood Center Extends Donation Site Hours, Sees Record Number of Registrations

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, SEATTLE — In the wake of this morning’s terrorist attacks on the East Coast, Puget Sound Blood Center today experienced record numbers of donor registrations and has extended hours at its nine permanent donation sites for the rest of the week.

“By eight o’clock tonight, we expect the total to reach 2,000, which would be the largest single daily registration total in the history of the Blood Center,” said spokesman Keith Warnack. The average daily total is 700.

“We are in direct contact with the New York Blood Center and also with the Department of Defense, which is coordinating any emergency blood shipments. We’re standing by to fill any requests we get,” Warnack added. Currently, the New York Blood Center is operational and still assessing blood supply needs.

The Blood Center donation site hours this week are now 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday except for Lynnwood; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday except for Lynnwood and Seattle. Donation site locations and mobile blood drive locations are available at the Blood Center’s website, www.psbc.org.

The Blood Center urges prospective donors to visit the website or to call 1-800-398-7888 to schedule blood donations over the next several weeks. “There will be a continuing need for blood, so we’d like to have a steady influx of donors,” said Warnack. “If you can’t get through to 1-800-398-7888 to schedule, please try again in the ensuing few days or register online at www.psbc.org.

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