Blood banks around the country are sending blood to the area, even while they are critically low themselves. I know in Northern Virginia,
Inova Blood Donor Services, our major blood supplier has less than a days supply on hand of almost all blood types. Blood banks in New Orleans and in most places throughout the country are in a similar state. Less then 5% of the eligible population actually donates on a regular basis.
Tragedy strikes everywhere, help your community to be prepared. For most donation services, you only need to get 50 people signed up to host a blood drive. Teams that have space for a field have the room needed for a drive. You can use it as part of a team/Red Cross fundraiser in addition to getting blood. Get people to sponsor a donor much like a walk-a-thon with the procedes going to the team/a team support fund for the New Orleans area/whomever you want.
Wetzel