Blood drives celebrates Daniel Borowy's recovery

In the same cafeteria where Daniel Borowy was shot and lost a critical amount of blood,  donors are giving back.  The 17-year-old Perry Hall High School student came to thank them. 

Borowy got back to school last week, more than two months after police say another student shot him on the first day of school.  It is his dad's first time walking into the cafeteria.

"Just that eerie feeling.  There's no other way to describe it, it's just eerie.  I still don't really comprehend what's happened here," said Milton Borowy. 

Out of those scary memories comes a stronger community.  More than 70 people gave a pint of blood each.  That could save several lives.

"Daniel needed more than 10 pints of blood and he needed a lot of other care based on the shooting, but the blood was really one of the critical components that he needed to survive," said Chris Lindsley, University of MD Medical Center. 

Students volunteered and the University of Maryland Medical Center hosted the blood drive at a time when the American Red Cross is hurting.  Close to 400 drives were cancelled because of Superstorm Sandy.

Teagan Rice's father joined her for her first donation.

"I'm also here to support other people in the hospital.  My aunt, she's in the hospital with cancer and she's needed a lot of blood transfusions," said Teagan Rice, a Perry Hall H.S. junior. 

"There aren't many firsts that a father can share with his daughter and this is one that I'm pleased to be able to do," said Wayne Rice.    

A life that was once on the line is now safe in his mother's arms and inspiring people more than he knows. 

"The community gave and is still giving to us.  And it's nice that we can give back to the community or help the community in giving back," said Milton Borowy. 

The University of Maryland Medical Center is hosting another blood drive on Thursday.  It will be held from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Click here for more details.