In times of crisis, you often wonder how you can help. Here's how.

The American Red Cross released a statement regarding the tragic mass shooting that happened Thursday, October 25, in Lewiston, Maine:

Our hearts go out to the community of Lewiston and all of those affected by Wednesday’s tragic shooting. The American Red Cross has provided 175 blood products to Maine hospitals in response to this tragedy. We stand ready to deliver additional blood products as needed. We stand ready to provide additional blood products as needed.

It's the volunteer blood donors who are needed every day to help save lives, that make the blood needed available.

Tragedies and unexpected events like this make blood donations so important. The blood on the shelves is what helped hospitals help victims. Type O negative is the universal blood type, and what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to figure out what the patient’s blood type is.

If you are Type O, your blood is most important.

If you are interested in donating blood, the Red Cross and anyone in need of blood would be grateful.

When something like this hits home, you may be paralyzed with a feeling of helplessness. But you CAN help. Really, you can do more than help. You can save a life.

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS and make an appointment to give blood.

Please make an appointment in the days and weeks ahead.

Right now, the Red Cross is asking everyone to follow the guidelines of local law enforcement in the impacted areas of Maine. You can help when it's safe to do so.

Because of the shooting, the Red Cross Blood Center in Auburn, Maine, is closed on October 26.