American Red Cross World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pittsburgh Tragedies The American Red Cross has immediately responded to the explosions at the World Trade Center in New York City and in the Pentagon and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. that occurred early in the morning on September 11, 2001. The Red Cross has activated its Aviation Incident Response (AIR) Team to respond in New York City and trained disaster workers from the American Red Cross are providing relief in the affected areas. 80,000 blood donations in the American Red Cross blood inventory are ready to ship to affected areas and will ensure that patients' lives are saved. In the wake of these traumatic events lies a wide path of catastrophic physical and psychological destruction in which countless victims will require assistance. In addition to meeting the physical needs of the affected regions, the American Red Cross will be providing crisis mental health counseling. "The American Red Cross is doing everything we can to ensure the immediate availability of the safest possible blood," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We are also dispatching hundreds of trained disaster workers and mental health counselors to New York, Washington D.C. and elsewhere," she added. The fastest and most effective way to help the victims of this disaster is through cash and blood donations, which allow for the best use of resources. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To make a blood donation, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or contact your local blood service organization. To help the victims of this and other disasters through a financial contribution, call 1-800- HELP-NOW You can also mail a donation to the American Red Cross, designating "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line of the check, at the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243 Washington DC 20013.