DAVENPORT, Iowa-- It's habitual donors like Dorothy Sheldon who ultimately saved the lives of the victims hospitalized after the shooting that left 49 dead and 53 injured in Orlando, Florida.
"Donors who gave in the days prior to that didn't know this was coming but went out to give blood. It was their gift, their donation that was on the shelf when those patients arrived in ambulances," says Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center's Kirby Winn.
Hospitals in Florida now have successfully restocked their blood supply with the help of blood centers around the nation.
There's been an influx of people coming out to donate right here in the Quad Cities.
"There is an impulse to come out and do some good, put some good out in the world and also do something practical that could help a patient in need," says Winn.
But even with the increase in walk-in donations, blood centers in the QC aren't able to lend an arm to victims in Florida because there's barely enough here to go around.
Orlando centers say they do have enough blood right now. But blood bank workers say it's important to remember what Dorothy does on a weekly basis.
"I'm kind of a person that believes in doing good for other people, so I'd say if you've never tried before and you're eligible, consider doing it," says Dorothy.
To donate to your local blood center, call the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center in Davenport to find out where to donate.