Inova Issues Emergency Call for Blood Donations

All blood types needed to replenish depleted supply

Falls Church, VA – (June 29, 2012) – Inova Blood Donor Services has issued a call for eligible blood donors to visit their local blood center or mobile blood drive to donate blood and/or platelets as soon as possible. Donors may schedule an appointment, or find a blood drive or donor center in proximity by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood  or calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (866-256-6372).

“The inventory of blood at Inova has been severely impacted by a lower than normal blood donor participation rate attributable to an unseasonably mild early spring coupled with summer activities and vacations,” according to Terri Craddock, Director, Inova Blood Donor Services  “This has lead to critically low inventory levels of blood and platelets, leaving hospitals vulnerable in response to emergency patients as well as challenged in meeting in or out-patient procedures requiring the use of blood and blood products.”

Everyday Inova must collect approximately 250 units to keep up with demand, yet collections have slipped to between 150-200 units daily.  All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.

“Blood testing can take 24-48 hours before it is available to patients,” according to Craddock  “I encourage the public to access www.inova.org/donateblood or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES without delay.”

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent-care centers, home care, mental health , blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research.