Central Texas Blood Bank Officials Say No Local Blood Needed For Las Vegas Victims

AUSTIN, TX — While residents of Central Texas have demonstrated their kindness in descending upon local blood banks to aid victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting, the life-saving resource is no longer needed in Nevada, Austin officials said.

Las Vegas blood bank officials on Monday confirmed there is no additional need for blood from surrounding states, We Are Blood officials said. Local communities in Nevada have mobilized to ensure a healthy suppl of blood is on hand, without the need to request additional support from other centers outside the state, according to officials at We Are Blood, the Austin-based blood bank.

A gunman shot at a concert crowd late Sunday from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel, killing 59 people and injuring more than 500 more.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Las Vegas shooting and their families," We Are Blood officials said in a statwment. "We're also humbled to see the love and tremendous support our fellow Central Texans show when devastation strikes. We’ve already begun to see an outpouring of support from our local community members who want to do anything they can to help our neighbors across the country.

"However, at this time, Las Vegas blood banks have confirmed there is no additional need from blood from surrounding states. Local communities in Nevada are coming together to ensure their blood supply needs continue to be met, and they have not needed to request additional support."

We Are Blood officials said they apprise the community should the need for blood arise and blood is requested from outside Las Vegas. Nevertheless, the reflexive need to donate blood (perhaps done in honor of the Las Vegas victims if not going directly to them) will still be welcome as a life-saving resource for area residents who may need it.

"We will update Central Texans if anything changes but, for now, your donations will continue going toward our local blood supply," We Are Blood officials said. "The community’s need for blood donations is daily, and it is the blood on the shelves that save lives when tragedies occur."

Given that reality, blood bank officials are now dealing with a rush of new donors — a common occurrence during times of national tragedy when goodhearted people rush to help in whatever way they can. But the rush of new donors at at the local blood bank runs the risk of creating a glut of blood with a limited shelf life. For that reason, We Are Blood officials are asking would-be donors to set up appointments to space out their gifts of blood to ensure its use in helping save lives.

"We recognize the need for blood donation feels urgent for many people right now hoping to help after such a devastating tragedy, but it is our goal to be the very best stewards of the gifts our community is giving," We Are Blood officials said. "Because blood has a limited shelf life of only 42 days, we must carefully control the amount of donations we receive at one time. Spacing donations out by organizing them through appointments is the best way for us to do that."

Those wishing to donate blood are encouraged to make an appointment online or over the telephone. For the former option, click here. To make a donation by telephone, call (512) 206-1266 to give blood, or (512) 206-1231 for platelets.

"We love and appreciate our community and all of our donors, and hope to see them in the coming months for their regularly scheduled donations," We Are Blood officials said.

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