But American Red Cross volunteers are still encouraging people to donate. The drive acquired 65 units of blood by 2 p.m., exceeding the Orange County Red Cross' original goal of 40 units. The Red Cross is collecting blood to help meet needs in New York and Washington, D.C., the sites of two of Tuesday's three terrorist attacks.
About 500 people came to the collection site Wednesday, but most were told to come back in a few days or weeks. "It's been heartening, really heartening, but we've been turning people away since I got here at 10:45 a.m.," said Amy Jewett, a Red Cross volunteer.
The drive was organized by the Student National Medical Association before the start of the school year with the expectation of a moderate turnout.
But after Tuesday's tragedies, concerned UNC students and Orange County residents came out in droves to donate. Casey Copp, director of blood services for Orange County, said other local drives have had similar success.
"My understanding is that 600 people turned up (Tuesday) at a drive in Durham, and (the volunteers) worked until 11 p.m. at night," she said.
At Berryhill, students, faculty and residents waited in line to give blood, keeping track of the latest news while their blood was being collected.
Laura Desch, a junior English major, said she waited for more than an hour. "I was watching yesterday, and, as soon as it went across the screen that the Red Cross needed blood, I wanted to do this," she said.
Other donors said they felt a personal connection to the tragedy in New York.
"I know there's a huge need, and I'm actually from New York," said Mike Steiner, a 2000 UNC graduate.
