...all this talk of blood donation reminded me, I too went to give blood the day after the attacks. I'm a semi regular donor normally, but was way overdue when it all happened. I realise that this action was completely irrational in relation to 9/11, but there was just this feeling like you HAD to do something. I guess it was out of a feeling of helplessness.

That in itself troubles me a bit. I didn't really have any right to be feeling as bad as I did (do) about the attacks; like I said, I wasn't personally affected in any way. The feeling was there nonetheless. I guess it was that all our way-of-lives had been attacked, and that things wouldn't be the same again.

I think it was those feelings in congress that allowed the patriot act and Iraq war to be approved.

(Just an FYI)
It actually depends on the product that they are talking about - there are three different products that can be gotten out of a Whole Blood donation (There are 3 other kinds of donation):

Shelf-life
Red Cells – 42 days
Platelets – 5 days
Plasma – 1 year

I was still in the Navy at that time. I had been out inspecting the docks and came in between the first and second planes. I remember thinking that it was a horrible accident the first time but when I saw the second plane hit, I knew it was deliberate and was ready to get back aboard my ship and go kick ass on whoever it was that did it.

At some point (it wasn't immediately after, but not a long time) I called up to donate blood. I usually go a couple times a year. They said they had too many donors and not to bother.

Two days later I got a letter in the mail beseeching me to donate because they were so short.

Anyway. On the day itself I came straight into my office and booked airline tickets for two trips I needed to take. After I was done my boss stuck his head in my door and asked me if I had heard anything about an airplane accident in New York City.

I guess it was a symbolic bloodletting for the rest of us, to let us somehow share in the carnage.

OK, this time it was some knucklehead in a Cessna... I think.

hmmm... make that a knuckleballer...