OneBlood issues urgent call for blood donations ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

ORLANDO, Fla. — OneBlood is issuing an urgent call for blood donations before Tropical Storm Idalia makes landfall in Florida.

Officials said there is a need for all blood types, but there is an increased need for types O negative and O positive as well as platelets.

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“Hurricanes and tropical systems often disrupt blood collections for several days,” said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations. “The most critical time for blood donations is prior to any storm or hurricane in order to sustain the blood supply during and immediately after the event.”

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OneBlood encourages all eligible donors to make blood donation part of their storm preparations and visit a donor center or Big Red Bus as soon as possible. For a list of OneBlood locations, click here.

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