Our sister United Blood Services blood center in Las Vegas has provided nearly 200 units of blood and blood products so far to area hospitals treating victims of the concert shooting last night. At this time, the Las Vegas operations of United Blood Services have been able to provide the lifesaving blood needed by hospitals treating these victims.

Already the local Las Vegas community and communities across the country are coming forward in solidarity to support and honor those impacted by this senseless shooting.

United Blood Services Central Coast stands ready to send blood to Las Vegas if needed. As part of the Blood Systems Blood Services division, United Blood Services Central Coast is included in a multi-state system of blood centers. This network works in tandem, moving lifesaving donations throughout the system to help ensure blood is available when and where it’s needed most.

“In any situation where blood transfusions are needed, it’s the blood already on the shelf that saves lives,” said Steve Ferraiuolo, division president for United Blood Services Central Coast. “We understand that people want to come forward now to show their support, however, to effectively manage the blood supply for patients, we are asking donors to make appointments to give blood throughout the coming days and weeks.”

While O-positive, O-negative and platelet donations are most needed whenever tragedy strikes, United Blood Services Central Coast urges both existing and first-time donors of all blood types to visit www.blood4life.org or call 805-543-4290 x “0” to schedule an appointment at one of our four Central Coast donor centers in Ventura, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria or San Luis Obispo, or book at a mobile blood drive by going to www.blood4life.org.

Blood has a shelf life, so it is important that donations are given on an ongoing basis. It can take 24 to 36 hours to collect, test, process and distribute blood where it’s needed.

Individuals who are as young as 16 years of age (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health may be eligible to donate blood.

United Blood Services Central Coast has been this area’s nonprofit community blood provider since 1949, and serves patients along the Central Coast of California. It is a Blood Systems blood center. Blood Systems is one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit community blood service providers, currently serving more than 1,000 hospital and healthcare partners across 28 states to provide comprehensive transfusion medicine services for patients in need.