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Hampton Roads residents participate in World Blood Donor Day in wake of Orlando shooting

Posted at 5:21 PM, Jun 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-14 18:52:14-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - June 14th is World Blood Donor Day, sponsored by The World Health Organization. In Orlando people have been lining up out the door and down the street of local blood donation centers, and in Hampton Roads people are taking action to do their part.

The Red Cross Organization in Virginia has sent 30 units of blood to Orlando already and although they will not necessarily send more to that area, a spokesman said every 2 seconds someone nationwide needs blood and they always push people to donate during the summer months. 14,000 pints of blood are used on average every day!

Just our local hospitals use 500-600 pints of blood every day for people just in our area. The donors we spoke to on Tuesday said that's part of the reason why they are here.

Orlando weighs heavy on the minds of many people giving blood or platelets, but their own families well being in on their hearts. Isaiah Gall said, "I would like the peace of mind that if my brother or mother needed it that it would be there, that’s why I donate."

For more information on how to donate and the closest location to you click this link : http://www.redcross.org/give-blood