In 2013 after the Boston Marathon bombing I asked a blood drive technician a (admittedly silly) question: blood drives had sprung up all over the country in response to the bombing, but what was done with blood donated in San Diego? It’s not being shipped to Boston is it?
I think most people already know this, but I didn’t: in the wake of a disaster all the local blood resources are depleted, so nearby cities send their reserves. The domino effect depletes blood reserves for thousands of miles. So blood donated in San Diego goes to Los Angeles, who’s been sending their blood to local hospitals in Bakersfield, who’ve sent their blood to Las Vegas. So no matter where you are, donating blood right now will help the injured in Vegas, not to mention helping people in nearby areas who need blood too, including all of the people who still need help after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
You can find a blood drive near you right here.
And if you’re not good with needles (and a lot of people aren’t) please consider sending a few dollars to the Nevada chapter of the Red Cross, or any other branch of the Red Cross. The numbered of injured people is over 500 at the time this article posts, and emergency responders could really use any amount you’d like to send.
Also if you’re trying to find a loved one who was in Vegas at the time of the shooting, the number to call is 1-866-535-5654.