People interested in donating blood to help replenish supplies in the wake of the June 12 Orlando massacre will have an opportunity to do so on Friday, June 17.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DeKalb County government building, located at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.

In a press release, the Red Cross said, “While we do not typically serve hospitals in the Orlando, Fla., area, the Red Cross provided 30 units of type O negative blood to support Florida hospitals in response to the shooting. We stand ready to provide additional blood and blood products as needed.”

The Red Cross said keeping an inventory of blood is an important part of responding to any crisis.

“It is important to note that, while we have met the needs of this mass casualty event, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion,'” the press release says. “Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. This weekend’s tragedy illustrates that it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency – that’s why it is so critical that eligible donors give on a regular basis to ensure we have a readily available blood supply.”

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