ORLANDO, Fla. – A team dedicated to saving the lives of the victims injured in the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub is also dealing with the heartache of losing one of its members.
OneBlood said Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33, who worked as a platelet supervisor in the Orlando laboratory, was shot and killed while enjoying a night out with friends at Pulse nightclub.
The organization said he started working as a biologics assistant in 2011 and quickly moved up the ranks to team leader because of his dedication to saving lives.
Co-workers and friends describe Ayala-Ayala as an incredibly hardworking man with a spunky personality who always lit up the room with his smile.
"Rodie was an absolutely amazing person and he had the most genuine personality of someone you can meet. He was always honest, but always uplifting at the same time. And he was always willing to learn," said Kadian McIntosh, biologics manufacturing manager.
Early Sunday morning, McIntosh said she reached out to him, but didn't hear back. The co-worker said she knew Ayala-Ayala had been at Pulse, but only wanted to believe he might be at a hospital with injuries.
"We were all working in manufacturing and just wishing one of these products was going to save his life. And then when we realized what had happened, it was so sad," said Libby Fusco, biologics manager.
Co-workers hoped the blood being donated to help the people injured would also go to help one of their own, but Ayala-Ayala didn't make it onto the hospital list of survivors. The list of victims confirmed their worst fears.
"It's been very hard. But we know that he would definitely be one of the people here working long hours to get these products out the door, to the patients in the hospital. So we've all pulled together and we've all put in the effort that he would've, as well as get the products to these survivors in the hospital. That's very important. Even though we've lost him, we have the opportunity to save others," McIntosh said.
OneBlood locations in Orlando and in Jacksonville have asked that people make appointments for blood donations, which are still needed. To find mobile blood drives and donation centers, visit oneblood.org.