"Each of us plans to donate blood this week—and we encourage union members who want to show their support to the affected families to make an appointment to donate blood at their local blood bank," said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Ray Waldron and Secretary-Treasurer Steve Hunter.

Supplies at local blood banks typically run low in the summer and no doubt will be stressed by tragedies such as Wednesday night\'s collapse of the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River.

Memorial blood center in Minneapolis said all types of blood are needed, but it has a critical shortage of Type O blood. Donors are urged to make an appointment, either online at the Blood Center website, or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. 

The American Red Cross in St. Paul is asking donors to make an appointment to give blood by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visiting www.givebloodgivelife.org.