Rhode Islanders Donate Blood For Orlando Shooting Victims

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

Stephen Yates sits in the Rhode Island Blood Center, donating for the first time. His decision coming just one day after hearing of the tragic shooting in Orlando.

"After yesterday, I just felt like I need to do something,"says Yates.

Although Yates did not know any of the victims personally, he says for many it still hits home.
 
"It struck a cord. I think a lot of people know somebody who is LGBTQ. I think the best thing you can do is show support at home and maybe that will spread," Yates adds.

While they accept all types of blood here at the Rhode Island blood center, their biggest need is for O negative.
 
"Recently we’ve been lower than we wanted to be in O negative blood and O negative is actually what is used in trauma situations because 7 % of people have O negative blood but 100 % of people can use it," Says Rhode Island Blood Centers, Eric St. Peter.
 
Yates was joined by many Rhode Island donors Monday.  St. Peter says he hopes this spreads awareness that blood is needed year round, and tragic events like Orlando are not something that can be planned for.

"It takes about 3 days to test the actual blood, so people who are donating now the blood is going to be available on Wednesday. There are a lot of people who need help every single day. We need about 200 donations every single day to have what we need just here," adds St. Peter.

(c)WLNE-TV 2016