
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 3, 1994                   TAG: 9401030053
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BLOOD SHORTAGE THREATENS ABILITY TO PERFORM SURGERY

The Appalachian Regional Blood Services of the American Red Cross, based in Roanoke, has made an emergency appeal for blood donors of all types.

Blood inventories are more than 900 pints below desired levels.

Red Cross spokesman Bob Lutjen said elective surgeries may have to be canceled at some hospitals because of the shortage.

The Roanoke center supplies 40 medical facilities in Virginia and West Virginia.

The Red Cross donor room will be open today. Donors must be 17 or older and healthy.

Red Cross blood drives are scheduled this week in South Boston; Rupert, W.Va.; Farmville; Lynchburg; Cumberland; Martinsville; Bluefield; Staunton; Salem; and Roanoke.

by CNB