The American Red Cross of Kosciusko County is responding to Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon. Two bombs exploded at the finish line of one of the largest races in the world.

Three people are dead and more than 140 wounded, yet no one has yet taken credit for the attack.

The American Red Cross of Kosciusko County is asking those who want to help in the wake of the terror attacks to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors, there is currently enough blood on the shelves to meet patient needs. However, more blood will be needed in the coming weeks to help resupply what is used.

The American Red Cross has made 100 additional blood products available to several hospitals in the Boston area to help meet the needs of those injured at the Boston Marathon. The Red Cross is also bringing in additional mental health workers for those who will need emotional support in the coming days and will work in close coordination with officials to determine how to best help the community and support emergency workers.

The following upcoming blood drives in Kosciusko County have been scheduled:

Thursday, April 18 – Noon to 6 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 801 S. Huntington St., Syracuse. Please call 800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment.

The Red Cross has a long history of providing volunteers and first aid stations during the Boston Marathon. Currently, the Red Cross has the financial resources it needs to support this event right now. We are asking those who want to help to make an appointment to give blood in the coming weeks and months. They can do that by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting the Red Cross website.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

American Red Cross Responds in Boston
Updated Statement from the American Red Cross

In response to the marathon bombings, the Red Cross has provided about 450 additional blood products to several area hospitals to help meet the needs of those injured. At the request of Boston area authorities, the Red Cross is also providing mental health and spiritual care support to the people injured and their families.

People who may want to provide other support to the Red Cross can consider taking one of these actions:

• This tragedy shows that emergencies can happen in any community at any time. While the Red Cross has all it needs to respond to this event, it does need the public’s support to respond to the nearly 70,000 other disasters handled every year around the country and Boston. If you want to support the Red Cross’ work responding to and preparing for future emergencies please make a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org.
• The need for blood is constant. Eligible blood and platelet donors across the country are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment to give in the days and weeks ahead by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.
• Type O negative blood is often used during emergencies, when there is no time to determine the patient’s blood type. It’s especially important that people with type O blood donate as frequently as they can.
• Many people in Boston yesterday jumped in to provide immediate help for the victims. Register for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED course at redcross.org so that you can be better prepared to help in future emergencies.
• Download the free Red Cross First Aid App which puts free and simple lifesaving information in the hands of smart phone and tablet users. The app is available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

For those in Boston or have loved ones there, knowing people are safe is the best way to bring peace of mind. It is important for people to connect with one another. People who have access to a computer should go to redcross.org/safeandwell to list themselves as safe. Those in Boston without computer access can text loved ones or call a family member and ask them to register the person on the site.

Events like this can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety since no one knows for sure what will happen next. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel nervous. People should take care of themselves and their families, and for example, can reach out to others to offer and receive support. Parents should let children talk about their fears and then reassure them about their safety. It’s also important for people not to overexpose themselves to media reports about the tragedy.

The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.