RED CROSS REPORTS BLOOD GIVING BETTER THAN NORMAL

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Local officials at the American Red Cross are reporting higher-than-average turnouts at recent blood drives, a trend they hope continues until the Persian Gulf war is ended.

"We're pretty low on certain types of blood, especially type O," said Dave Palmer, account representative for the Red Cross based in St. Louis. "That's not too unusual for January. But people need to realize that if we're called on to send blood again to Saudi Arabia, it might threaten our local supply."

In late December, the Missouri-Illinois chapter of the Red Cross was the first to send a blood shipment to the gulf region.

The national Red Cross last week announced they would begin sending 1,000 units a week to the gulf region.

Though it's not been determined when the Missouri-Illinois chapter will be called on again, Palmer said when they are called, they'll be given little notice.

"If the Pentagon says they need it, we have to send it right away, within 24 hours," he said.

He warned that if the local supply of blood isn't kept at a high level, an emergency call for blood could mean a shortage of blood locally.

"If we don't keep the local supply in good shape, and we do pull that much out, it could put local hospitals and patients in jeopardy."

Palmer said local turnout at recent drives has been good.

A drive last week at Boatmen's Bank in Cape Girardeau collected 154 units. The organization's goal was 70.

A drive is scheduled for Monday at the American Legion in Jackson from 1:30 to 6:30. On Jan. 25, a blood drive is scheduled at the Southeast Missouri Hospital Outreach Service in Jackson. And a Jan. 30 drive is scheduled at the Holiday Inn-Convention Center in Cape Girardeau.

"We're expecting a big turnout," he said. "But what people don't realize is we can only store blood for six weeks. If everybody comes out at once in the beginning we'll be in trouble in six weeks. We need to have a steady interest."

Palmer said the organization does not plan to have more blood drives than usual. But that could change, he said, depending on the situation in the gulf.

"This could be an ongoing thing," he said. "It could last another few weeks or another couple of months."

Debbie Bowers, executive director of the Red Cross chapter in Cape Girardeau County, said interest in volunteering has also been high since the war began.

"People have been calling us like crazy, asking what they can do," she said.

The organization is currently looking for volunteers to help in the emergency communications activities of the Red Cross.

"One of our responsibilities is to help soldiers and their families with emergency communications," she said.

"In order to provide that 24-hour service, we have to have a corps of volunteers, and it's a program that requires some training."

The first training class is scheduled for Feb. 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the chapter headquarters in Cape Girardeau. Participants in the programs are required to complete only one class, she said.

Bowers said volunteers are on call for about a week. They assist families who need to get a message to a soldier stationed in the gulf of a family birth, death or medical emergency.

Since August, the organization has transmitted 64,000 messages to troops stationed in the gulf. Three thousand of those messages have been birth announcements, Bowers said. "Those are, of course, our favorite kind."

The chapter also helps families cope with having a loved one stationed in the gulf, especially children.

A booklet called "Someone in My Family Went Off to the Middle East," is available for children of enlisted men and women.

"It helps then understand why an adult had to leave and what daddy or mommy might be doing," Bowers said.

The books are available free of charge. To obtain one, or for more information about Red Cross services, call your local chapter.