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

DATE: SATURDAY, January 8, 1994                   TAG: 9401080184
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`IT WAS FAR BEYOND ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN ANYWHERE'

Ray Houff, the squad's assistant chief, said 120 units of blood were collected at its bloodmobile at Salem Presbyterian Church. The American Red Cross had expected to collect 80.

"It was far beyond anything we've seen anywhere," said Robert Lutjen, director of donor resources for the Red Cross.

Some of the more than 150 people who showed up to donate had to be turned away. But the rescue squad and the Red Cross are planning a second bloodmobile - to be called "Second Chance" - within a week, Houff said.

Houff said he didn't realize how bad the blood shortage was until he discovered that his mother - diagnosed with cancer and septicemia - couldn't get two units of blood she needed because distributions were being made on an emergency basis only.

"We need to educate people more. The problem seems very simple to solve."

Despite widespread appeals, the Appalachian Regional Blood Services of the American Red Cross still is 900 pints below optimum level, said Barbara Scaffidi, donor resource consultant.

"People think we can get that in a day," she said. "But it's going to take at least two months until we get inventories up to where they need to be."

The Red Cross donor room at is 352 Church Ave. offices in downtown Roanoke will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.