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By Boston.com Staff, 09/11/01

Beth Israel hospital in Boston will keep its blood donor facilities open into the early evening today and for extended hours tomorrow in response to the apparent terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

The emergency in New York could strain the blood supply in Boston if resources are diverted to hospitals in and around Manhattan, hospital spokesman Jerry Berger said.

Although donors are asked to call in advance to set up an appointment, the appointment line has been swamped in the wake of the tragedy, Berger said.

The hospital has set up three alternate lines, Berger said. They are:

(617) 667-7488

(617) 632-7323

(617) 632-7244

Beth Israel and other Boston hospitals that are part of the National Disaster Medical System are also prepared to send emergency medical teams to New York, or to accept patients air-lifted from the scene.

Elective surgeries were cancelled Tuesday in preparation, Berger said. However officials coordinating the disaster response had not issued calls for help as of Tuesday afternoon. No decision had been made on elective surgeries scheduled for Wednesday, Berger said.

Beth Israel's Blood Donor Center is located in the main hospital building on 330 Brookline Avenue.