While the 9/11 memorial in Baltimore has received ample attention, I notice a lack of opportunities for individual community members to honor the victims of 9/11 in a practical way.
Readers might be interested to learn of Muslims for Life, a blood drive campaign to commemorate the victims of that tragedy.
Muslims for Life is a nationwide effort to collect 10,000 units of blood through September. This blood will be given to local hospitals to save the lives of 30,000 Americans — 10 lives for every life lost on 9/11.
The Red Cross and MedStar Health, among others, are partnering with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in this effort. They, as well as several local churches, are hosting blood drives in the Baltimore area this month. Visit http://www.muslimsforlife.org/locations to find the drive most convenient for them.
One of the drives will take place Sept. 14, 3:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lutherville Volunteer. Fire Company, 1609 Bellona Ave., Lutherville. Call 646-418-8714 or email Qudus.Malik@ahmadiyya.us for details.
The Red Cross reports a desperate lack of blood in our region. And, many veterans, who make up the majority of American blood donors, have had to step down as the years go by.
If honoring 9/11 victims isn't enough of an incentive for us to finally begin filling this alarming void, then what is?
Aysha Khan
Lutherville