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How to Help Las Vegas Shooting Victims

Nevada officials started a GoFundMe page and are urging people to donate blood

People looking for ways to help after the Las Vegas mass shooting are asked to donate money and blood.

By Tuesday night, a GoFundMe page started by Nevada officials had raised over $7.8 million by more than 61,000 people. As people contributed money on Monday, the goal was continuously upped from the initial $1 million to $2 million, then to $2.5 million. It's now aiming for $10 million. 

The fundraising effort was started by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair, who wrote on the page that funds "will be used to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting​."

Sisloak called the support for the fundraiser "inspiring" and vowed "every penny will be put to use."

Officials thanked businessman Stephen Cloobeck for his $400,000 contribution to the GoFundMe late Monday, given in a series of payments that were earlier anonymous until Cloobeck allowed authorities to share his name. 

The Oakland Raiders, the team that plans to move to Las Vegas in a few years, donated $50,000 to the page. The NFL Foundation, the league's nonprofit organization, also donated $50,000. Sisloak thanked the two organizations on Twitter.

City officials are urging people to give blood for the hundreds of injured victims at any of the three donation centers in the area.

Donations are generally available for hospitals after 24 to 36 hours. United Blood Services encouraged donors to make appointments throughout the coming days and weeks.

Appointments can also be made with American Red Cross through online or over the phone (1-800-RED CROSS).

Dr. Casey O'Connell told NBC News that American Red Cross has systems in place to transport donations to areas in need.

Lines wrapped around blocks outside of donation centers Monday as hundreds of people turned up to give blood in Nevada. The first donors showed up at centers around 2 a.m. local time to help, just hours after the 10 p.m. shooting Sunday night. Volunteers passed out food and water on the long lines.  

During a news conference Tuesday Las Vegas police said people should call 1-866-535-5654 to report missing loved ones.

Victims looking for information are asked to call 702-828-3111 if they have left the area. Victims in the Vegas area are asked to call 311.

The Las Vegas mass shooting was the deadliest of its kind in modern U.S. history.

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