September 11, 2008 Donors roll up their sleeves at Fenway Park Play video

(Ally Donnelly, NECN: Boston, MA) - Manny Americans are answering the call to service on this September eleventh. Just one example of that could be found at any of the blood drives held around the country today.

“I'm one of the 9-11 family members...I lost my husband.”

Cindy McGinty moves through the room. Her heart heavy with loss, but full of gratitude for the hundreds of strangers who have come to donate blood.

I think he'd be very proud to see his family be part of something that's paying forward all the kindness that people showed to us.

Michael McGinty, a 42-year-old father of two young boys from Foxboro -- died in the north tower on September 11th.

Christy Coombs: We live with it every day, every minute of our lives. We wake up to it every day when we realize the absence in our house.

Christy Coombs lost her husband Jeffrey --- a passenger on board American flight 11, the first plane to crash into the world trade center.

It's a great tribute to our family members who lost their lives on 9-11 and it says a lot about what Massachusetts people are all about.

Fay pierce from Andover has donated for years, but makes a special point to come to Fenway park for the American red cross *9-11 blood drive.

That's one thing that I can do. I couldn't be a nurse, I couldn't help people in tragedy, I'm too emotional, but giving blood is a piece of cake.

A BRONX NATIVE, JOHN McInernuy IS A YANKEE DEVOTEE, BUT

“Cuz people need it. I'm a healthy guy and I think I can afford to donate a pint of blood today.”

Rich Serino is the head of the red cross board in New England but is also chief of Boston’s emergency medical services and knows all to well the importance of filling the critical blood shortage.

Rich Serino: Whether it's for operations, whether it's in critical accidents, whether it's people who are sick with cancer -- there's such a need for blood and not many people donate.

Every two seconds in this country someone needs blood but only about 5% of people who are eligible actually roll up their sleeves in a given year. At this point, healthy donors are the only source of blood, there is no substitute.

We all need to help each other out, to give back, that's important to me.

It makes me feel good and maybe I can give a little bit anyway.

If you'd like to give a little bit -- the need for blood is constant. Call 1-800-give-life.