One of the heartwarming sights in the aftermath of the Pulse attack was the hundreds of people lined up to give blood. A week later – those lines are gone. However, One Blood says the need for donated blood still remains.

  • Need for blood donations remains, OneBlood says
  • OneBlood collected 30,000 units of blood, has distributed about half
  • 1 survivor of the attack needed at least 200 pints alone

“Like all of Orlando I was horrified by what happened last Sunday,” said Leslie Wolcott.

Wolcott came the Sunday of the attack to give blood, but the lines were so long then she wasn’t able to donate and had to make an appointment for a week later. On Monday, she finally got to donate.

“My husband and I made appointments last Sunday, and Orlando’s so great, this is the first time we’ve been able to get in to give blood.  So Orlando’s a really good place despite a really bad thing happening,” said Wolcott.

OneBlood says in the week following the Pulse shooting, it has collected nearly 30,000 units of blood from donors throughout Florida and the southeastern part of the United States. It has already distributed about half that.

In fact, OneBlood says one of the Pulse nightclub shooting victims has received at least 200 pints of blood. That means the donations from more than 200 people have helped keep that victim alive.

Herb Voyles also donated blood.

“I’m happy there was a large response to this because if there wasn’t, that victim might have already passed away,” said Voyles.

Voyles has returned to the One Blood donation center off West Michigan Street in Orlando just about every day since the Pulse shooting to volunteer, by handing out water, juice or whatever blood donors need to be comfortable.

OneBlood says the best thing for people to do now is make an appointment to donate. While first-time donors are up 40 percent and donations are still coming in, the long lines are gone, and they worry donations will fall off later this summer.

Wolcott says donating was the least she could do to help the victims.

“I think like any people, you struggle with not being able to do enough. But it’s nice to be able to do something,” said Wolcott.

You can call 1-888-936-6283 to find a OneBlood center near you.

You can also visit the OneBlood website at www.oneblood.org/donate-now and put in your zip code to find a donation center.