Blood banks in El Paso are 'overwhelmed' by donations after mass shooting
After a devastating mass shooting, El Paso's community pulled together to donate blood.
A gunman opened fire in a Walmart on Saturday morning, injuring at least 23 people, CNN reports. Police confirmed "multiple" fatalities. This is the 249th mass shooting in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which means there have been more mass shootings than days in 2019.
The City of El Paso put out an urgent call for blood donors as hospitals drained their supply to treat the victims.
Blood needed urgently. Multiple injured transported to various hospitals. Blood donation centers Vitalent Blood Services at 424 s Mesa Hills and 133 N Zaragoza
— EL PASO POLICE DEPT (@EPPOLICE) August 3, 2019
Again, blood donors are needed! Vitalant is accepting donations at 424 S Mesa Hills Drive and 1338 N Zaragoza until 5PM.
— City of El Paso (@ElPasoTXGov) August 3, 2019
Hundreds of people lined up outside blood banks to donate after the call went out. Local news stations and Twitter users shared videos of the crowds.
LOOK: This is the line of *HUNDREDS of people outside of Vitalant in West El Paso waiting to donate blood following today’s shooting @KTSMtv pic.twitter.com/xjtONeWX05
— Sandra Ramirez (@sandraKTSM) August 3, 2019
this is what I love about the el paso community. people quickly responding to donate blood! #prayforelpaso #EPStrong pic.twitter.com/aDaB3oSYKu
— c i n d y (@cinn_daay) August 3, 2019
THIS IS EL PASO!! We are a city of dreamers and we care about the people here. People lining up and dropping whatever they were doing this Saturday to donate blood because the people said they needed blood. I am proud #ElPasoStrong pic.twitter.com/hqBl9ZrVzw
— 💜ҍҽԵհ💚 (@multiahgase) August 3, 2019
Blood donation lines around the building in El Paso. I love this city. #ElPasoStrong #ElPasoShooting pic.twitter.com/1PYJ4o6Mgr
— Carolyn Payne (@Carolyn_payn) August 3, 2019
"it's always darkest...before the dawn"! Love that the El Paso community will always come together. Vitalant Blood Donation Service is standing room only! pic.twitter.com/G7rUVV1Wzw
— Alex Contreras (@AEdhsband) August 3, 2019
The El Paso community is incredible. My mother and I went to donate blood and there is a line of hundreds of people around the block . All standing in 101 degree sun. People can be wonderful.#ElPaso
— Cody Decker (@Decker6) August 3, 2019
So many people pulled through, in fact, that donation centers couldn't take more appointments. That doesn't mean that the shortage is over, though. As local station KVIA notes, this is an "ongoing situation" and hospitals will need more donations as they treat patients.
People are reporting that the donation centers are now overwhelmed and to schedule appoints online for tomorrow and Sunday. This will be an ongoing situation and donations will be needed through next week. https://t.co/7521LHIABG
— KVIA ABC-7 News (@abc7breaking) August 3, 2019
I went to go donate blood but the facility didn’t have room for any more cars and the streets were flooded with people trying to get in
Fucking right El Paso— ;-; (@jacobb_17) August 3, 2019
Only appts for tomorrow at Vitalant on Zaragoza, I was just there pic.twitter.com/BRTLgVip9Z
— Oscar (@NewGenMiner915) August 3, 2019
In addition to donating blood, you can help the victims by donating to a fund set up by the El Paso Community Foundation.
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