Victims of Tuesday’s wicked events were dealt a tremendous outpouring of support from the campus community today - with massive lines of students and community members waiting to donate blood.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the American Red Cross co-sponsored today’s blood drive in the Union while events continued unfolding in New York City and Washington, D.C.

By noon, there was a three-hour wait to donate.

But that didn’t discourage the line from growing.

Carol Lovelady, American Red Cross donor recruitment representative for MSU, said they’ve seen several first-time donors. More than 100 people showed up to donate.

Lansing resident Lucinda Means was about halfway through the line at 1 p.m. today As a regular universal blood donor, she was glad to see the long lines but said she hopes they will continue in the future.

“Burn victims need blood for months and months after their injuries, and there is always a blood shortage,” she said.

Kasandra Scales, sorority vice president and physiology junior, said the annual drive’s response has been amazing this year in ways beyond the turnout. Many organizations offered services.

Puffin’s Pastry Shop on campus donated cookies, Little Caesars gave pizza and the Union gave water.

For more on this story, see Thursday’s edition of The State News.