Iowans respond to disaster call for blood

Iowans across the state responded immediately to calls for blood donations in the wake of the terrorist bombings.Hundreds of people packed the waiting area of the Blood Center of Central Iowa in Des Moines Tuesday — some waiting up to two hours to donate blood. The donors had watched or listened to the events unfold and said they wanted to help. The said they felt it was their duty as Americans to donate blood.Jim Brandt of Des Moines says he was shocked by the attacks, and cancelled a trip out of town to donate blood.Amber Bond also came in to donate blood after seeing the coverage. She says she was “appalled and saddened” by the attack.Blood Center spokesperson Christine Hayes encourages Iowans to continue donating.The need for blood in Washington, D.C, and New York will go on for weeks. Other blood centers across the state reported similar turnouts of Iowans to donate blood.