Shock came first. The Hopkins community began to form camps in front of T.V. sets trying to understand the events of a suddenly-solemn Tuesday morning. Students entered classes that once cancelled, released them into a different world. The same emotions ran through a thousand different minds on a thousand different campuses. Hopkins students found themselves in a world of fear and pain and frenzy, as well as a state of shock.
And just as soon, things changed. Maybe the shock never ended, but it became so less important on the list of priorities. Prayer circles joined together. Hospitals were flooded with blood donors. A booth was set up for the disaster relief fund. And now, nearly three weeks since the disastrous events of Sept. 11, students still find themselves asking what they can do.
"Give blood," said Red Cross Director of Marketing and Communications Amy Thompson. "Initial response was great, but we will still need donations throughout the coming weeks." Appointments can be set up any time by calling 1-800 GIVE LIFE. According to the Red Cross, it is estimated only five percent of those people who can give blood do. Each donation saves up to three lives and takes only one hour.
A visit to http://www.redcross.org provides locations of the nearest blood donation sites as well as local links and information. The local chapter, the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac region (http://chapters.redcross.org/md/chespot), is currently calling for blood donations. An extremely low inventory threatens supplies to 86 regional hospitals.
In addition to giving blood, students can donate platelets. Platelets are a blood component necessary to control bleeding and are needed for most patients undergoing surgery, radiation treatment and bone marrow and organ transplants. Through a process known as aphaeresis, blood is withdrawn from a donor, platelets are separated and recovered, and that blood is returned to the donor. The process is safe and comparable to giving blood. The body's platelets are restored within 48 hours and can be donated up to 24 times a year.
But, if for whatever reason, blood and platelet donation are not options, students still have a great capacity to help.
"Certainly they can volunteer," said Thompson. "The Baltimore office has a volunteer office that is more than happy to accept volunteers. We have over 2,000 people waiting to get involved in volunteering. They can work in blood drives, do office type work; there are plenty of opportunities."
To become a volunteer, call 410-764-4602 or 1-800 272-0094.
Initially, supplies and food were required for survivors and volunteers of the disasters. On Sept. 14, lists of needed resources were posted on local New York sites such as http://ww.NYROCK.com requesting can openers, flashlights, gloves, pick-axes and various other items. As early as Sept. 18, more supplies than could be used were donated. Relief organizations are now asking for monetary donations.
Many disaster relief funds have been set up to accept donations. Http://www.helping.org provides an up to the date list of these organizations and gateways to donate to each of them. Donations can be made online as well as through check or money order. 100 percent of donations are guaranteed to go to these organizations which range from the United Way and New York Community Trust to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
"The day of the attack, I went with some other students to donate blood at Union Memorial," said freshman Raghu Chivukula. "We were all turned away. It seemed like the only thing we could do was watch T.V. and get in touch with our families. You can give money now, and volunteer, but how can you stop things like this from happening in the first place?
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