(Bernice Corpuz/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- It was a display of kindness at City Hall Plaza Friday, to kick off One Boston Day celebrations.
Even though the day of kindness is not until Sunday, dozens decided not to wait, and stepped aboard the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital Mobile Unit to give blood in honor of those impacted by the Marathon bombings five years ago.
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Michael Feeny is from Boston.
"It's hard not to think about it, it's still very fresh," he said. "It's a day of giving, it's a day of service. It's nice to be able to do what you can."
Mai from Belmont said she felt it was her responsibility to give back.
"It's a duty I feel," she said. "It's always good to do something that can help others."
Mayor Marty Walsh has been encouraging people to do acts of kindness as the city celebrates One Boston Day.
The holiday is an annual tradition to commemorate the resiliency and strength of the people of Boston in the wake of the 2013 bombings.
The blood drive also honors the life-saving act of those who rolled up their sleeves following the attack.
But the need for blood is constant.
Jeff Levine is Mobile Operations Coordinator for the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center.
"It's amazingly critical that we get as many units per blood drive as possible," he said.
He says the donated blood goes to Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Hospital, and could be available for use in just two days.
"In a trauma situation--and this is an average--8-10 units will help one person," he said. "But in a therapeutic world, one unit will help two people."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports