Jersey City firefighter Jonathan Gamutan will never forget what he saw 24 years ago when he arrived in Manhattan to a pile of rubble that was once the Word Trade Center.

“It was surreal, like something out of a movie. Everything was greyed out – there was no color. All of Manhattan seemed like a war zone,” he recalled.

Yesterday, Jonathan and many other members of the Jersey City Police and Fire Departments and community members rolled up their sleeves to donate blood in honor of the heroes of Sept. 11 and to remember the victims of that tragic day. Donors flocked to the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson to participate. All presenting donors received a Red Cross sling, drawstring or farmers market bag, courtesy of Suburban Propane, a proud national sponsor of the American Red Cross and long-standing sponsor of this annual blood drive.

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“This is how I pay homage to the victims and especially their family members, because they are the ones who have suffered the most,” said Jonathan.

The annual Jersey City Police & Fire 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive has become a fixture on many blood donors’ calendars.

“I always donate blood on September 11,” said Lauren Blumenfield of Hoboken.

_{^{“I want to do my part in memory of those lost and all of the firefighters and police officers who served.”}}

This year Lauren was especially proud that her son joined her as a first-time donor.

Police Lieutenant Steve Palomba has been on the job for 20 years, and he says that it was the attacks of Sept. 11 that compelled him to give up his corporate job and become a first responder. “9/11 gave me a higher calling and a purpose,” he said.

On the anniversary of Sept. 11, he takes time to reflect, and he says giving blood helps him get in touch with humanity. His advice to the community: “Think about others, donate your time and really think about humanity.”

In the morning hours, donors and Red Cross staff held four moments of silence at the drive, marking the very moments that the planes crashed into the North Tower and South Tower of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and also the plane crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

As a result of generous blood donors, the American Red Cross collected 165 units of lifesaving blood.

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD 

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.