In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, people across the country overwhelmed blood banks. They waited in long lines to donate out of a impulse to do something to help, and in anticipation of thousands of casualties. Upwards of a half million more units of blood were collected in the 2 months following the attacks than was normal for that time of year, and more than could be used before it expired; a large portion had to be discarded.

Hundreds of people waited in line for hours to give blood at the Puget Sound Blood Center in Seattle. More than 100 people were already at the center an hour after the first plane hit. Said one donor, "We needed to do something to show our support...to show we care." The Center collected over 2,000 units that day and planned to extend its hours due to the overwhelming response.

Here, people line the hallways of Puget Sound Blood Center on September 11, 2001, waiting their turn to donate.

Captoin information source: "Shock waves spur Northwest to Action" by Margaret Taus, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 12, 2001, p. B1.