ORLANDO, FL (WTXL) - After being forced to suspend operations throughout parts of Florida due to Hurricane Matthew, a the local blood center is urging donors to donate as soon as possible to replenish the dwindling blood supply.
"The hurricane has greatly reduced our ability to collect blood over the past few days and as a result we are now facing the reality of a severe blood shortage", said Susan Forbes, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, "The donations that come in from the areas where we are now operating are helping sustain the blood supply throughout OneBlood's entire service area."
OneBlood Donor Center said that there is an urgent need of O negative, platelets and AB plasma.
They said healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can generally donate blood.
For a list of OneBlood Donor Centers and Big Red Bus blood drive locations visit www.oneblood.org.
