A blood donation center in Orlando, Florida had to turn away potential donors due to an overwhelming community response following a mass shooting in a local nightclub.
The official website for the OneBlood donation center in Orlando issued a press release stating:
“The blood center is at full capacity and is asking for donors to help over the next several days to help replenish the blood supply. To make an appointment, please click here for call 1 (888) 9-DONATE.”
Communities near Orlando and across Florida mobilized to host blood drives to help the shooting victims and reduce the demand on full donation centers.
At least 1,500 in the blood center line on Michigan. Other locations are opening up. pic.twitter.com/6AepWzsMDF
— Scott Randolph (@RepRandolph) June 12, 2016
The overwhelming public response came just hours after 49 people were killed and an additional 53 people were injured when a man identified by officials as Omar Mateen, 29, of Port St. Lucie, Florida entered the Pulse nightclub and opened fire. In addition to the 49, Mateen died following a gunfight with SWAT officials sent in to the club to rescue hostages.
As news of the injured spread throughout the day, people streamed to local blood centers to donate. When they arrived, they found lines stretching around buildings. News crews and people on the scene documented the response via social media, including ways those in line helped one another by sharing necessities such as sunscreen, water and food.
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
Blood donation site set up in Mt. Dora. Please consider donating today. In Wal-Mart parking lot at 17030 Hwy 441, Mt. Dora.
— Scott Randolph (@RepRandolph) June 12, 2016
Blood donation line in #Orlando! I've said it before, look for the people doing good. There is the hope! pic.twitter.com/Fb6YZqsdno
— Tyler Sanders (@wtsanders) June 12, 2016
Despite the desperate need for blood, a Food and Drug Administration limitation on homosexual men giving blood remained in place. For a short time, social media sites reported the restriction had been lifted, but this proved to be false.
All FDA guidelines remain in effect for blood donation. There are false reports circulating that FDA rules were being lifted. Not true.
— OneBlood (@my1blood) June 12, 2016
The partial ban states homosexual men who have not engaged in sexual activity for at least 12 months are eligible to donate blood.
Reaction was swift on social media over the FDA regulation.
I hope that @US_FDA will look into removing the Gay blood ban. The blood ban is useless, the issue is dealt with by tests.#PrayForOrlando
— Ed Stevens (@efsbaseball1) June 12, 2016
Correct @US_FDA policy is obvious! Use same behavior-based screening for LGBT, straight donors; risk a function of behavior NOT orientation
— (((Jared Polis))) (@jaredpolis) June 12, 2016
