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Blood Donations Surge In Response To Orlando Massacre

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The need for blood donations reaches its peak in the summer months, and the mass shooting in Orlando has made the need even greater.

Seventeen LifeSource centers in the Chicago area were holding blood drives Tuesday, for World Blood Donor Day.

Jerry Swarbrick was planning on donating blood even before Sunday's shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando left 49 club goers dead, and 53 more wounded.

"Given the incident in Orlando, I think it's just important to make sure I was here to donate," he said.

Account manager Christine Simons said LIfeSource has been overwhelmed with Chicago donors of all blood types since the massacre in Orlando. LifeSource sent a shipment of blood to Orlando on Sunday, and was encouraging people to donate to replenish the blood supply.

"We really appreciate all of those that are taking the time, and it is extended times in cases like this, because the waits have gone longer. We appreciate them for taking that time, and spending it with us, to make sure that lives are able to be saved in Orlando as well as Chicago," she said.

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Simons said, no matter the blood type, every donation helps.

"There is a huge increase in the need for O negative blood donors, our negatives, our ABs, and our plasmas. So, of course, if somebody is in that community, we'd love for them to show support, but any blood type is also welcome and very much needed," she said.

O negative is considered the universal donor, as it can be given to virtually any patient in need of blood. AB positive plasma also is considered a universal donor, and plasma is vital in assisting clotting.

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