Where to Donate Blood in Wake of San Bruno Disaster

An urgent appeal has been issued to people throughout the Bay Area to donate blood, particularly Type 0 negative, to replenish the supply of blood being depleted by those injured in the Thursday's explosion and fire in San Bruno.

Both the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region and the Blood Center of the Pacific will be able to move supplies to the hospitals treating the injured patients. The natural gasline explosion and fire Thursday evening in San Bruno has left at least four people dead and  52 people injured 

Together, the organizations supply blood to about 70 hospitals in Northern California. 

Your donations will also help to maintain the Bay Area blood supply, said American Red Cross spokesman Jared Schultzman. Any blood used to treat the San Bruno victims will need to be replenished immediately.

Donations of Type O negative blood is especially helpful because it can be given to anyone in an emergency, Schultzman said. 

You can visit the Red Cross's website for information about donating or call 800-REDCROSS (733-2767). Here are East Bay American Red Cross centers to donate blood:

Pleasant Hill Blood Donation Center
140 Gregory Lane, Suite 120
925-602-1460

Pleasanton Donation Center
5556-B Springdale Avenue
925-468-1800

Oakland Donor Center
6230 Claremont AvenueOakland, CA 94618
510-594-5131

Newark Donor Center
Cedar Village Shopping Plaza
39227 Cedar Blvd.
(510) 744-3860