Blood drive at the Berry Center held in honor of El Paso mass shooting victims

Following the deadly mass shooting in El Paso on Aug. 3, Cy-Fair residents turned out to help hospitals in need of blood during a blood drive held in the Berry Center.

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center hosted the first day of the blood drive on Aug. 7. The two-day drive allows residents to donate blood in honor of the victims. Although the blood will be sent to El Paso if they need it, GCRBC communications coordinator Julie Silva said the blood is not specifically for victims of the El Paso shooting

“It’s going to stay here in the Houston area,” she said. “Of course, if something happens and (El Paso) needs it, we would send it over to them but primarily it is going to be used in the Houston area to help our patients.”

Melina Rosas, supervisor for GCRBC, said the event was put together shortly after the shooting occurred. GCRBC hopes to receive 60 donations total from both days of the drive, she said. The event is taking whole blood, plasma and red blood cells