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Las Vegas Lines for Blood Donors Stretch for Blocks After Mass Shooting Blood Donation Lines for Las Vegas Shooting Victims Stretch for Blocks
(about 2 hours later)
As Las Vegas residents and visitors woke to the news on Monday of a mass shooting outside a resort in the city, many responded not by turning away but by reaching out.As Las Vegas residents and visitors woke to the news on Monday of a mass shooting outside a resort in the city, many responded not by turning away but by reaching out.
They contributed water and food, provided comfort in the form of blankets, and donated money and blood.They contributed water and food, provided comfort in the form of blankets, and donated money and blood.
Lines formed at daybreak outside of blood banks operated by United Blood Services. Bottled beverages, food and other supplies were stacked up on the floor and tables at the Thomas & Mack Center, an arena on the University of Nevada campus.Lines formed at daybreak outside of blood banks operated by United Blood Services. Bottled beverages, food and other supplies were stacked up on the floor and tables at the Thomas & Mack Center, an arena on the University of Nevada campus.
The center is near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where a gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, fired on an outdoor music festival, sending thousands fleeing on Sunday night. At least 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured. Some survivors took shelter in the dark at the center.The center is near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where a gunman, identified as Stephen Paddock, fired on an outdoor music festival, sending thousands fleeing on Sunday night. At least 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured. Some survivors took shelter in the dark at the center.
Following those who fled in fear were the helpers.Following those who fled in fear were the helpers.
On Monday, Jarrett Peper, a receptionist at the center, arrived at work just before 8 a.m. and there were already supplies for people who had taken shelter. As the morning wore on, there were piles of blankets and donations of coffee and doughnuts.On Monday, Jarrett Peper, a receptionist at the center, arrived at work just before 8 a.m. and there were already supplies for people who had taken shelter. As the morning wore on, there were piles of blankets and donations of coffee and doughnuts.
“It was packed,” said Ms. Peper in a telephone interview. “All morning, blankets, food and water, all kinds of people coming up to help.”“It was packed,” said Ms. Peper in a telephone interview. “All morning, blankets, food and water, all kinds of people coming up to help.”
“It’s incredible, absolutely incredible,” she said of the response. “When there is a tragedy like that, everybody cares and it brings everybody together.”“It’s incredible, absolutely incredible,” she said of the response. “When there is a tragedy like that, everybody cares and it brings everybody together.”
On social media, people posted pictures from blood donation sites around Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada, and shared locations where people could donate. Lines threaded around the block and waiting rooms were filled with people standing or sitting.On social media, people posted pictures from blood donation sites around Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada, and shared locations where people could donate. Lines threaded around the block and waiting rooms were filled with people standing or sitting.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department promoted a list of donation centers on Twitter, and it traveled widely. Some Twitter users asked if they could donate blood from across the country, or how long they would have to wait if they just got a new tattoo or recently donated blood.The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department promoted a list of donation centers on Twitter, and it traveled widely. Some Twitter users asked if they could donate blood from across the country, or how long they would have to wait if they just got a new tattoo or recently donated blood.
At one of the United Blood Services locations in Las Vegas, a reporter from KVVU-TV estimated that the line stretched for three blocks.At one of the United Blood Services locations in Las Vegas, a reporter from KVVU-TV estimated that the line stretched for three blocks.
Some donors were in line as early as 2 a.m. at a center in Las Vegas, Julie Scott, a spokeswoman for United Blood Services, said. The early arrivals did not budge from their place even when told the centers would not open until 7 a.m., she said.Some donors were in line as early as 2 a.m. at a center in Las Vegas, Julie Scott, a spokeswoman for United Blood Services, said. The early arrivals did not budge from their place even when told the centers would not open until 7 a.m., she said.
“Many of them stayed, and have already donated, and are now volunteering and passing out water to others in line,” Ms. Scott said in a telephone interview.“Many of them stayed, and have already donated, and are now volunteering and passing out water to others in line,” Ms. Scott said in a telephone interview.
She said U.B.S. supplied 200 units — each about a pint — of blood products early on Monday to at least one hospital, the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Those products were not taken from donors on Monday; the process takes 24 to 36 hours to put blood through testing after it is given.She said U.B.S. supplied 200 units — each about a pint — of blood products early on Monday to at least one hospital, the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Those products were not taken from donors on Monday; the process takes 24 to 36 hours to put blood through testing after it is given.
“The blood on the shelf when these tragedies occur is saving patients’ lives, and we need people to come back and replenish,” she said.“The blood on the shelf when these tragedies occur is saving patients’ lives, and we need people to come back and replenish,” she said.
People also donated money. Steve Sisolak, the Clark County Commission chairman from Las Vegas, started an online fund-raising campaign. By 3 p.m., it had raised more than $850,000.People also donated money. Steve Sisolak, the Clark County Commission chairman from Las Vegas, started an online fund-raising campaign. By 3 p.m., it had raised more than $850,000.