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Blood donations needed after Orlando shooting

ORLANDO, Fla. – There is an urgent need for blood donations, especially Type O, in Orlando after a mass shooting at a nightclub.

People in the Jacksonville area are urged to donate at one of several donation sites in town.

LIST: Jacksonville blood donation sites

The OneBlood center in Orlando reached capacity Sunday around noon but urged donors to help over the next several days.

OneBlood said there is an urgent need for O Negative, O Positive, and AB Plasma blood donors.

OneBlood also said there are false reports circulating that some FDA rules were being lifted regarding blood donation. It says those reports are not true and the blood center is mandated to follow all guidelines for blood donation at all times.

You can find the hours and locations of One Blood here or reach them by phone at 1-888-9Donate to schedule an appointment.

The Jacksonville Association of Firefighters is also setting up a blood donation site at the Hyatt in Jacksonville, specifically for firefighters, so they can help people in Orlando.

VIDEO: Fire union president speaks about helping Orlando

The need comes after about 50 people were killed at an Orlando nightclub. The shooter was killed in a gunfight with police.

In addition to the slayings, 53 other victims were taken to area hospitals for medical treatment, police said. There were an estimated 320 people in the club when it opened Saturday night.

Orlando Regional Medical Center was placed on lockdown around 2 a.m. after receiving several gunshot victims.

"Only essential workers are being allowed access into the building," officials said.

Arnold Palmer Hospital and Winnie Palmer Hospital were also placed on lockdown, but the lockdown was lifted just after 8:30 a.m.


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