Austin Blood Drive For Shooting Victims Lures 100-Plus

AUSTIN, TX — More than 100 people descended to downtown Austin on Monday to donate blood in the wake of the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, that left 22 dead and more than two dozen injured this weekend.

We Are Blood — the blood bank for Central Texas since 1951 — staged a blood donation drive in the shadow of the state Capitol between 12th and 13th streets, parking two mobile blood drive units along Colorado Street to accommodate donors. Representatives from Walmart also were there to hand out snacks, bottled water and juices to hydrate and nourish prospective donors standing in line with temperatures in the 90s but feeling significantly hotter with the heat index.

Saturday's mass shooting took place at a shopping center anchored by a Walmart as families went shopping ahead of the new school semester following summer break.

Related story: How To Help Victims Of El Paso Mass Shooting

Phyllip Lybrand, spokesman for We Are Blood said the outpouring was so great, a second mobile unit was added to accommodate the influx of donors. Four people at a time could be fit into each mobile unit, with the donation process taking about 30 minutes.

Video taken by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

"The turnout today has been incredible we started his morning with one bus and the appointments were filled almost right away," Lybrand said. Several walk-ins further prompted the more robust presence, Lybrand added.

More than 100 people descended to downtown Austin on Monday for a blood drive in the wake of a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, that left 22 dead and more than two dozen injured. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Jacob Cottingham didn't have to travel far to make it out to the donation drive, working as chief of staff for state Rep. Donna Howard at the Capitol. Although it's been a while since he last donated blood, he was compelled to wait in line and give. "I Just thought it was a way to take some concrete action to help other folks out," he told Patch.

Video taken by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

The spontaneous blood drive in the wake of tragedy took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those who were unable to attend the event but still want to help out can make an appointment at any of the blood bank sites across the city. Visit the We Are Blood website to schedule an appointment.

Blood donors braved hot temperatures to help in the wake of the El Paso mass shooting. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

So great was the turnout to donate blood, that officials issued an advisory just before 2:30 p.m. asking future donors to make an appointment for a later time: "We Are Blood has announced that appointments and walk-ins for the mobile drive on Colorado Avenue, honoring victims and communities in El Paso and Dayton, are now full. Additional walk-ins can no longer be accepted for today. Anyone interested in donating should go online and book an appointment at a We Are Blood donor center for later in the week."

Appointments can be scheduled online at weareblood.org. Those who were unable to donate during this special drive can set up a donation at one of We Are Blood’s three locations.