Red buses roll into UCF for blood donations

The University of Central Florida and OneBlood partnered for what could be the largest #OrlandoUnited blood drive in Central Florida.

Although more than 250 appointments are booked, the one dozen Big Red Buses outside the UCF football stadium had plenty of room for walk-ins on Monday.

Donors said the Pulse nightclub shooting spurred them to donate, although some said they were regular blood donors.

A retired fighter, Ted Sweeney, remarked about the long lines at blood collection centers the day of the shooting. "If we could get half of those people who donated last week to donate twice a year, there wouldn't be a shortage."

OneBlood officials say blood that is donated is processed very quickly and is usually given to patients within five days.

You can donate blood up to six times a year.