Locals Show Solidarity with Injured by Donating Blood Today

Local residents came out in droves to give blood today in the wake of a tragic week in Massachusetts.

People at the blood drive at Spence Farm said they were there to help the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, which injured over 170 people and left three dead. They were also there to give blood in the wake of reports of police officers being injured in the line of duty as they chased the two suspects Thursday night.

MBTA Police Officer Richard Donohue, of Woburn, was injured in a shoot-out Thursday night with the Boston Marathon bombing suspects.

Red Cross volunteer Sara Raymond, of Boston, who was at Spence Farm today, said the number of walk-ins exceeded those who came by appointment and that some people waited over and hour-and-a-half to donate.

She said this was her first time volunteering at a blood drive and she was inspired to give her time because of what happened this week.

"It was definitely because of the news events," she said. "I'm not able to donate and I thought this was the next best thing. It's been a really stressful week for everyone in the Boston area."

She said she was glad to see so many people come out and donate.

"It shows that when something like this happens people come together for the greater good," Raymond said.

Her friend, Ashley Daniels, of Dorchester, was also at the blood drive to lend a hand.

"I'm here because when there is a tragedy the community has to come together and do something," she said.

The people donating had similar sentiments.

Michael Nolan, a retired captain of the Burlington Fire Department, said he had not given in a while but felt that today was the day to do so.

"I haven't given in a while but because of what happened I felt it was time to give again," he said.

Karen Rice, of Woburn, who was there with her young daughter Megan Rice, said she donated a couple of months ago and wanted to do so again.

"After hearing about the bombing and so many people in the hospital there will be a need to replenish the blood supply," she said. "This is the least I could do right now."

She said that in the past few days she's been watching the news coverage non-stop.

"For the last 48 hours I've been glued to the t.v." she said.

Chris Schindler, of Woburn, said he doesn't normally give blood but he wanted to do so after the events of the week.

"I woke up and thought that there must be a lot of people in need this week," he said. "This week's events opened my eyes to that."

Schindler said he had also followed the reports of the manhunt for the second bomber yesterday.

Schindler said he was glad that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the second suspect, was taken alive Friday night.

"Everybody wants answers," he said. "I'm glad they caught him alive. Our justice system will give the victims and their families the closure they need."

Finally, John McKee, of Woburn, also said he was donating blood to help those in need.

"I have donated before but not in a while," he said. "Certainly what happened in the past week got me out today. I was thinking about how I could contribute in light of what happened. I'm trying to do my bit for what's going on."

McKee said he also signed up for a first aid class at Winchester Hospital this morning.

What are you doing to help out? Do you know of any fund drives, vigils or other ways people can get involved for the victims and their families? Let us know in the comments section below.