NIH BLOOD BANK TO ACCEPT BLOOD DONATIONS
FOR NEW YORK CITY, PENTAGON EMERGENCIES

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson this afternoon announced that the Blood Bank at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be open for the next 24 hours to accept blood donations from citizens.

"We at the HHS want to do what we can to help our fellow citizens in the Washington, D.C. area and in New York City who are suffering and in need of medical aid," said Secretary Thompson. "I encourage all Americans to help out in this time of crisis and donate blood. No matter where you live, your blood donation can help those in need."

Those who are interested in donating blood can enter the NIH campus, which is located at 9000 Rockville Pike, in Bethesda, Maryland, from two entrances: Wisconsin Avenue and Center Drive (near the Medical Center Metro Stop) and at Old Georgetown Road and Lincoln Drive. Prospective donors can come to the South Entrance of the Clinical Center (Building 10) for entry. People should call 301-496-1048 before arriving.

For more information on how you can donate blood throughout the U.S., contact your local hospital, blood bank or American Red Cross chapter by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE or by going online to http://www.RedCross.org.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.