Red Cross needs blood in CT after Sandy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Because Sandy was so destructive here in CT, there is desperate need for blood. Hurricane sandy caused so much destruction in New York, New Jersey and here at home in Connecticut. She also made a direct hit to the blood supply in the northeast.

There's a shortage of more than 11,000 donations.

"Obviously the shoreline hit very hard, doing what we can to support the community," Phillip Sullivan, from the Red Cross, said.

The American Red Cross is holding this urgent blood drive at Gateway Community College and to get CT's supply replenished, other drives will be held in the days and weeks to come.

"I wanted to do this because I felt bad for everyone from hurricane. A lot of people lost lives," Haidar Abbas said.

And one pint of blood, saves three lives. After paper work and simple questions here we go -- It does involve a needle prick, hour of your time, but how else can you save a life?

It's as simple as twitteling your fingers, and there's power at Gateway. You can even charge your cell phone at the same time.

"We have a wonderful opportunity to help someone if you don't have power my goodness Gateway Community College today."

With so much of Connecticut battered by Sandy, families who lost it all, and thousands left in the dark, Khush Abbas was inspired to give for the first time.

"It wasn't that bad and it makes you feel really good too," Khush said.

This is such a simple thing to do, about an hour of your time, you get a snack too, and the best thing knowing doing something to help others.