First responders host 9/11 blood drive amid shortage

MADISON, Wis. – Every year on Sept. 11, people across the country honor victims, survivors and first responders from the 2001 terror attacks by donating blood.

“It’s something I look forward to on my calendar to be a part of,” said Madison police officer Hunter Lisko.

He helped organize the Never Forget Blood Drive at Garver Feed Mill this year.

“I’m blood type O positive, so folks like me can donate whole blood or do a power red double donation,” he said.

The event is hosted by the Madison Police Department, Madison Fire Department and the American Red Cross.

“Sometimes there’s a sibling rivalry between [police and firefighters],” Lisko said. “This is just one of those things where we can come together and say, ‘Hey, out in the community we respond to calls together.”’

Lisko was only 4 years old when the terror attacks happened.

“Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives, and so many have lost their lives to 9/11-related illness after the fact,” he said.

The American Red Cross needs more donations right now. Leaders announced a blood shortage across the country. The Red Cross is short at least 30,000 units of blood.

“Nationally, on a daily average, we need about 12,500 units of blood to collect every day,” said Kyle Kriegl, executive director of the Southwestern Wisconsin chapter of the American Red Cross.

He said the Red Cross typically sees donations slow in the summer and around the holidays, but it’s been a few years since there has been an actual shortage in August like this.

In Sept. 2001, Kriegl worked in the same building he’s in now.

“We had TVs set up, and by midday, there were people lined up clear to the parking lot to come in and donate blood,” he said.

The goal of the Never Forget Blood Drive is to continue that spirit by remembering everyone impacted and saving lives in the future.

To find the nearest blood drive, click here.