Spokane Aid Reaches Quake Zone

More than a ton of medical relief supplies from Spokane arrived Wednesday in Nishinomiya, Japan, according to organizers of the relief effort.

The medical supplies will help the 19,000 people who suffered serious injuries in the Japanese earthquake Jan. 17, said Joel Moore, treasurer of the Sister Cities Association of Spokane.

Sacred Heart Medical Center, Empire Health Services and Group Health Northwest donated the supplies along with companies that supply health-care products.

The supplies, valued at $100,000, were driven to Moses Lake by United Parcel Service and then flown by Japan Air Lines to the Nishinomiya area, Moore said.

Another $15,000 has been donated to the Nishinomiya Earthquake Relief Fund at First Interstate Bank branches, Moore said.