The Day After

I had an appointment to donate platelets at my local LifeSource Blood Center in the Chicago suburbs.

Platelets are a part of the blood used to treat cancer patients.  Giving them takes a couple hours.  I have been doing it about once a month for the past 20 years, ever since a coworker at my office had cancer and needed treatments using platelets.

I showed up on time, but never donated.  In fact, I could hardly squeeze through the crowd at the blood center to get to the desk and sign in for my appointment.  The receptionist asked me to reschedule; the center was overwhelmed with people giving whole blood for those who might need it in New York.

Later, I learned that blood centers all over the city were packed with people wanting to give life to others, to literally give of themselves to save those in need.  In response to the tragedy and violence, people responded with love and sacrifice.

The crowd of donors included every creed and color, young, old, from business suits to jeans.  There was a quiet, determined patience about them.  Unity and charity.

Perhaps it is odd to have a heartwarming remembrance of 911. But an overabundance of blood donors had me fighting back the tears.  And whenever I visit the blood bank to make a donation, I remember those donor heroes of 912.