# are blood donations immediately after a crisis helpful? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 14, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340 "2016-06-14T12:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/1 "2016-06-14T12:23:33Z")
In the hours after the Orlando mass shooting hit the news, people reportedly began lining up to donate blood. Is this actually helpful, or do hospitals ordinarily have enough blood on hand to deal with ~50 shooting victims at once? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/2 "2016-06-14T12:31:09Z")
The Orlando hospitals directed blood donors to blood banks to make donations. More blood in the system is always good. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/3 "2016-06-14T13:11:53Z")
Blood can’t be stored indefinitely, so it’s possible that the donations will be discarded before they’re ever needed. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/4 "2016-06-14T13:21:40Z")
During a mass causality event on site supplies can be depleted rapidly. By the time people are lining up around the block the crisis should be over. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/5 "2016-06-14T13:28:08Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > During a mass causality event on site supplies can be depleted rapidly. By the time people are lining up around the block the crisis should be over. But donations are needed to replenish the depleted supplies, no? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/6 "2016-06-14T13:34:19Z")
While it’s true blood products have a lifespan consider that the American Red Cross states “Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.” Round that to 40,000 units over a population of 330 million. That gives a typical usage in the Greater Orlando area of 242 units a day. The Canadian Blood Services states a car crash victim needs roughly 50 units of blood. Let’s cut that in half and apply it to the 50 victims in Orlando --\> 1250 units. That would monopolize the Greater Orlando blood supply for 5 days. Given blood can be stored for ~ 6 weeks (not platelets though) a surge in donations doesn’t necessarily mean throwing the blood into the trash. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/7 "2016-06-14T13:34:33Z")
The mass of donated blood in Orlando may be largely wasted, but there will be need for specific blood types and it’s difficult to predict the total needs, the shooting victims aren’t the only people in need of blood. Blood drives that aren’t associated with a particular event are often needlessly wasteful, but this is the kind of situation where an excess of blood donations is good policy. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/8 "2016-06-14T14:02:42Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > But donations are needed to replenish the depleted supplies, no? When you are at the point that you have people waiting on line for hours you have gone well beyond the need for replenishment. I’m sure those in charge wish that some would come back in 6 months when everyone has forgotten. I’m on the prohibited list so no lines for me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/9 "2016-06-14T14:06:12Z")
Perhaps the hope is that people will think, “That wasn’t very painful. I should do this again.” And some will become regular donors. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/10 "2016-06-14T14:10:41Z")
I recall reading that the Orlando hospitals made a request for donors, and even waived the restriction on gay donors. > [@](#): > > OneBlood had put out a call for the donations and still need types O negative, O positive and AB plasma. The agency said the blood donations were needed to aid the wounded. However, the response was a bit more than they needed: > [@](#): > > Overwhelmed by people wanting to donate blood to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, OneBlood asked donors to stop coming Sunday and schedule appointments over the next few days. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/11 "2016-06-14T14:27:11Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I recall reading that the Orlando hospitals made a request for donors, and even waived the restriction on gay donors. I heard that too. Then I heard it wasn’t true. Do they have the authority to waive restrictions put in place by the FDA? BTW gay men are not restricted if they have been celibate for a year. The rule changed a few years ago. However they still think I might have Mad Cow Disease so I can’t donate. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/12 "2016-06-14T14:57:27Z")
Nice to see that a couple of Chick-Fil-A restaurants in Orlando [opened](http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article83641932.html) on Sunday (they usually don’t) to make food to hand out to blood donors. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/13 "2016-06-14T15:25:02Z")
I’ve [read](http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/business/blood-industry-hurt-by-surplus.html) that the need for transfused blood is way down, due to changes in medical procedures and standards. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/14 "2016-06-14T17:08:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Perhaps the hope is that people will think, “That wasn’t very painful. I should do this again.” And some will become regular donors. I bet they’re right, and some will. I donate blood fairly regularly. A few years ago, a friend asked me to do something when I was scheduled to donate, and I said, hey, how about you come donate blood with me, then we go do whatever. He’s been a regular donor since. Also, is there any reason that blood donated in Orlando has to stay in Orlando? Put it on a refrigerated truck and send it where it’s needed. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/15 "2016-06-14T17:19:09Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > Also, is there any reason that blood donated in Orlando has to stay in Orlando? Put it on a refrigerated truck and send it where it’s needed. I don’t think it has to stay anywhere. I donate a lot (in the Upper Midwest). I got an e-mail a couple of days after I donated the last time saying that my donation went to somebody in California. Whoever needs it is fine with me. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/16 "2016-06-14T17:32:38Z")
On 9/11 I was trapped in Manhattan and figured I could kill time and be a good boy scout by donating blood. There was a long line and eventually someone came out and said (basically) there are a lot of fatalities but not many injuries here, we only need rare blood types right now. The real need will be weeks down the road when everyone who was moved to donate blood today is ineligible so please come back some time over the next month and become regular donors. So it depends on the crisis. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/17 "2016-06-14T18:22:16Z")
according to this article, one person used 90 units of blood. > **[Inside the Orlando trauma center: All hands put to work | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/health/orlando-trauma-surgeons/index.html)** > > Three of the trauma surgeons who worked as the horror of America's largest shooting massacre unfolded talked to CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/18 "2016-06-14T18:22:24Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t think it has to stay anywhere. > > I donate a lot (in the Upper Midwest). I got an e-mail a couple of days after I donated the last time saying that my donation went to somebody in California. > > Whoever needs it is fine with me. > > Regards, > Shodan That makes me really wish I could be a regular donor. I doubt they will change their ruling anytime soon to allow me. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/19 "2016-06-14T18:34:45Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Nice to see that a couple of Chick-Fil-A restaurants in Orlando [opened](http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article83641932.html) on Sunday (they usually don’t) to make food to hand out to blood donors. Yeah, that made me cry. [This too.](https://www.facebook.com/attractionsmagazine/photos/a.74177884329.72281.8093464329/10154213998119330/?type=3&theater) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340/20 "2016-06-14T19:00:54Z")
I was wondering what was going on Sunday at the theme parks in Orlando. Was WDW open as normal? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-blood-donations-immediately-after-a-crisis-helpful/757340.md?page=2)