TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - As the Hurricane Matthew continues to move up the east coast, a local blood center has urged people to donate blood as soon as possible.
OneBlood said they have suspended their operations along the east coast of Florida into Central Florida and have asked people in other, less affected areas to donate blood.
Locations in Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Thomasville, Douglas, Tampa Bay, and Ft. Myers are all expected to remain open though the storm.
The organization said that these donations are vital to ensure an available blood supply before, after, and during the storm. While all blood types are needed, they said there is an increased need for platelets, AB plasma, as well as O negative and O positive blood.
They said that 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, click here.
