<p>TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Americans around the country are being urged to donate blood at their local blood center in order to assist victims of Hurricane Irma.</p> 
<p>OneBlood, a Florida based blood center, resumed blood collections on Tuesday. All blood types are needed, however, there is an urgent need for platelet donors and people with O negative blood. Hurricane Irma forced OneBlood to suspend operations for three days and as a result, there is an urgent need to replenish the blood supply in Florida. Donors should visit <a href="https://www.oneblood.org/locations/" type="external">www.oneblood.org</a> for donor center hours and blood drive locations.</p> 
<p>OneBlood, in coordination with America&#8217;s Blood Centers and Blood Centers of America, has been actively arranging for shipments of blood to be brought in to Florida by blood centers from around the country.</p> 
<p>OneBlood is urging people living outside of Irma&#8217;s path to visit their local blood center and donate blood as soon as possible to assist those desperately in need in Florida.</p> 
<p>Those interested in donating blood may contact the following organizations to find a local blood drive and to schedule an appointment:</p> AABB: www.aabb.org; +1.301.907.6977
Hurricane Irma: Blood donations needed to help victims in Florida