Less than 24 hours since the worst mass shooting in US history, there has been an urgent call for people to give blood. With 50 people dead and over 53 people injured, there is a desperate need to help those who have been hospitalized.
Orlando’s OneBlood took to Twitter to encourage people with the blood types O Neg, O Pos and AB Plasma to give blood. With an overwhelming response to the tweet, OneBlood website crashed and their voicemail box was left full.
Update: A tremendous response by blood donors. We are asking donors to give over the next few days. 1.888.936.6283 https://t.co/4bf6aA1lMS
— OneBlood (@my1blood) June 12, 2016
We’re working on getting the website back up. You can call 1.888.936.6283 — OneBlood (@my1blood) June 12, 2016
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
The organizers have also cleared up the rumor the Food and Drug Administration’s rule have been lifted, meaning the official rules from the Food and Drug Administration still do not allow gay or bisexual men to donate blood if they have had sex with another man in the past 12 months.
Current crowd of generous blood donors at One Blood on John Young/ Sand Lake location trying to help! #Orlando pic.twitter.com/H9ROin2POo — Nicole Rae (@NicoleRaeGolf) June 12, 2016
According to the Red Cross, blood donors in most states must be over 17 years old, have a good general health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Orlando Health has encouraged people stay away from local hospitals and arrange the blood donations with local blood banks.
Please do not come to local hospitals to donate blood, and instead work with local blood banks to arrange donations.
— Orlando Health (@orlandohealth) June 12, 2016
If you would like to donate blood in your area, call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information.
