Attacks Inspire First-time Blood Donor

This article is one in a series of profiles of American Red Cross volunteers who responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Written by Becky Orfinger, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

December 19, 2001 — Nearly 4 million people gave blood to the American Red Cross in 2000. This year, that number will be even higher, reflecting the large outpouring of blood donations in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. For one first-time donor, the experience of giving blood after the tragedy inspired a lifetime of giving.

"Giving blood was the easiest and most constructive thing for me to do after I heard about what happened," said Betsy Wild, who had just moved from New York City to Washington, D.C. a month before the attacks. Once the 23-year-old Capitol Hill staffer had made sure that her loved ones in New York were safe, she and a friend headed to the emergency blood drive being held at Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Although she had never donated blood before, Wild's desire to "do something to help" overshadowed her fear of needles.

At the donation site, Wild was overwhelmed by the number of donors, volunteers, and other people moved to help by the national tragedy. "When we arrived at the Red Cross, there was a line wrapped around the building," she remembered. "But no one was complaining, because everyone just wanted to feel like they were doing something to help. At first, the mood was pretty somber — people were still in shock over what had happened and most of us were just reading the paper. But as time wore on, people began to talk to one another."

Wild said she had never donated blood because she was afraid it would hurt. Now that she knows the process is virtually painless, she intends to donate regularly. The actual donation takes just 10 minutes, with a little additional time needed for filling out paperwork and a mini-physical. "It really didn't hurt, and the woman who took my blood was very gentle," Wild said. "I will definitely make a habit of donating in the future."

Although Wild knows that a small portion of the blood collected in the wake of Sept. 11 was not used, she said she doesn't regret the time she spent waiting in line to donate on Sept. 12. In fact, she said the experience was therapeutic. Wild and her friend shared stories, opinions and fears about the previous day's horror with hundreds of other people, from all different walks of life. Perhaps more importantly, Wild's positive donation experience demonstrated how easy it is to give blood, and motivated her to become a regular donor.

Wild waited several hours outside the Red Cross donor center on Sept. 12, but passed the time talking to other would-be donors about the terrorist attacks.

"Just donating blood after the attacks was therapeutic for me, regardless of what happened to my donation. This was an unprecedented disaster, and no one knew what would happen next or who might need blood in the next month," said Wild. "It was amazing just to see how many people showed up eager to give blood in the first place — that's what's really important."

Wild knows that it's rare for the Red Cross to have more than enough blood for the patients who need it. Prior to Sept. 11, the nation's blood inventory was inadequate but is now in the best shape of its history. However, as the holidays and winter weather approach, it is likely that the level of available blood will begin to drop. Some 25,000 new donations are needed each day to maintain an adequate national supply to treat accident victims, cancer patients and others.

"After seeing the pain and suffering of so many people on Sept. 11, giving blood was the only thing that I wanted to do, because I knew it would help someone, and make me feel better," said Wild. "I am confident that the terrorist attacks will encourage other first-time donors to go out and give blood again, because everyone's life is important."

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