"Urgent need" for blood donors after Orlando massacre
Florida was in desperate need for blood donors in wake of the deadly attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando on Sunday.
“There is an urgent need right now for O negative, O positive and AB plasma blood donors following the mass shooting,” Susan Forbes, vice president of OneBlood, told CBSN.
Situations like this show why a ready blood supply is so vital for communities, Forbes explained.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted to his more than 1.4 million followers asking them to consider donating.
If you live in Central Florida, blood donations are needed after mass shooting at #PulseNightclub https://t.co/g0Hg5FK1sY
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 12, 2016
“As quickly as it is donated it is processed, tested and shipped out the door,” Forbes said.
Hundreds of people could be seen lining up outside of blood banks in Orlando; the line at one blood bank was at least two hours long, according to one Twitter user.
Line at ONE #Orlando blood bank is 2 hours long to donate to shooting victims.@jeremybuff pic.twitter.com/eCPgq7nUxo
— Jim Buff (@jimbuff) June 12, 2016
By 5 p.m. ET, OneBlood said they were “at capacity,” but residents who want to help can schedule an appointment.
However, there are limits to those who can donate. The Food and Drug Administration’s policy bars donations from men who have had sex with a man in the previous year.
Blood center is overloaded with people wanting to give blood in the aftermath of the #Pulse mass shooting pic.twitter.com/rFAsbPdGGu
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) June 12, 2016
While blood centers are currently full, Forbes encourages others to sign up to donate this week.
“It is an ongoing need every day for blood centers across the country,” Forbes said.