Hurricane Isaias intensified Thursday over the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to hit the Florida Panhandle on Friday. The storm will force OneBlood to suspend mobile blood‑collection drives in the region for at least the weekend.
Why extra donors are needed
“The closures are probably going to extend through the weekend, and that means we need to offset what we aren’t collecting there in the rest of our service area,” said Susan Forbes, spokesperson for OneBlood, during a live interview with WESH 2 News. “Here in Central Florida, we’re not as impacted, so we’re open for business and throughout the rest of the state. So, we’re encouraging people to please come in and donate. We need those extra donors to be coming in at this time.”
OneBlood, the state’s largest nonprofit blood supplier, relies on a steady flow of volunteers to keep hospitals stocked with lifesaving blood products. When a hurricane or other natural disaster forces a temporary shutdown of collection sites, the organization asks healthy donors from unaffected areas to fill the gap.
How to donate safely
Donors can visit any of the organization’s fixed‑site locations that remain open. All sites follow strict health‑safety protocols, including mandatory mask use, temperature checks, and enhanced cleaning between donors. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times, especially as demand rises.
For those unfamiliar with the process, a typical donation takes about an hour, and the blood is screened for safety before being distributed to hospitals throughout Florida. The blood collected today could help patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, or emergency care later this week.
Where to give
OneBlood maintains a searchable list of open donation centers on its website. Residents of Central Florida, the Orlando metro area, and other unaffected counties are urged to check the site for the nearest location and schedule a time.
In addition to brick‑and‑mortar sites, OneBlood operates mobile units that travel to schools, churches, and community events. While the mobile units in the Panhandle will pause, those serving other parts of the state will continue operating on their regular schedules.
Community response
Local churches, civic groups, and businesses have already begun spreading the word, posting flyers and sharing social‑media messages encouraging friends and family to donate. Many see this as an opportunity to demonstrate the community’s resilience and compassion in the face of a natural threat.
“When a storm hits, we all feel the impact, but we can still help by giving blood where we are safe,” said a volunteer coordinator at a Central Florida donation center. “Every pint counts, and together we can keep our hospitals fully stocked.”
OneBlood will monitor the storm’s progress and update the public on any additional changes to collection schedules. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through local news outlets and the organization’s official channels.
For more information on donation locations, eligibility requirements, and to schedule an appointment, visit OneBlood.org or call the statewide hotline at 1‑800‑ONE‑BLOOD.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
