Orlando Tragedy Spurs Blood Donations: Media Reports

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Blood drives are taking place this evening at four American Red Cross locations in the D.C. region, including a center in Old Town, in the wake of Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando, according to media reports.

Dozens of victims are being treated following the massacre in the early hours of Sunday at a nightclub in the Florida city, WRC-TV Channel 4 reported Monday. And dozens of people lined up Sunday in Orlando to donate blood to help the victims, the TV station reported.

At least 49 people were killed and another 53 wounded in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, according to media reports. Police say the suspect, Omar Mateen, opened fire at the Pulse nightclub at around 2 a.m. Sunday, taking hostages before being killed by a SWAT team.

The Red Cross said its blood drive is ongoing throughout the year, and while it provided supplies to Florida hospitals in response to the mass shooting, the blood donated Monday will not go to Orlando, Channel 4 reported.

"Our hearts go out to all those who are affected by the tragic shooting in Orlando," the organization said Monday on its website, adding that it has received "a tremendous outpouring of support.

"In the event of an emergency, it’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save lives," the Red Cross said. But the need is constant, and it urges anyone who wants to make a donation to set an appointment in the weeks ahead.

The four Red Cross locations accepting blood donations include:

• The Alexandria Chapter House at 123 N. Alfred St. in Old Town. Donations will be accepted until 7 p.m. 
• The Fairfax Blood Donation Center in Merrifield is accepting donations through 7:30 p.m. The center is at 2720 Prosperity Ave., Suite 200.
• The E Street Blood Donation Center in Washington, D.C., is taking donations until 7 p.m. It's at 2025 E St. NW.
• The Rockville Blood Donation Center in Rockville, Md., is open until 7 p.m. It's at 11820 Parklawn Drive.