Eye on the Tropics

Blood donations needed following Hurricane Irma

OCALA, Fla. — OneBlood is urging people to donate blood following Hurricane Irma.

The hurricane hit Central Florida Sunday night into Monday morning.

The blood center was forced to suspend all blood donations as of Saturday.

Donations have resumed, and the facility is in desperate need of platelet donations and O-negative blood.

Ocala Regional Medical Center is hosting a blood drive in front of the facility for donations. People can stop by Thursday until 2 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sept. 26 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supplies of blood from across the country will be sent to Florida to help.