Inova in critical need of Type O+ donors – Nationwide blood supply shortage continues

Inova’s blood supply has reached critically low levels and we are in dire need of type O+ blood donors immediately. We need all blood types, but Type O is the most urgent need at this time and will help the most patients. Currently, we have less than a one-day supply of Type O blood.

If you are eligible to donate, please make an appointment or walk-in to an Inova Blood Donor Center today to give blood. Inova Blood Donor Services supports all five Inova hospitals, as well as 13 other hospitals in the region. Our three donor centers in Northern Virginia are open 7 days a week.

If you are unable to visit a center, Inova has several blood drives in the coming weeks.

• Friday, Oct. 6: Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company Blood Drive
• Sunday, Oct. 8: Special O- Blood Donor Event, Centreville, VA
• Sunday, Oct. 8: Acacia Lodge at Clifton Day Blood Drive
• Wednesday, Oct. 11: Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Dept. Blood Drive
• Friday, Oct. 13: Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Blood Drive

Click here for a list of all Inova Blood Drives in October.

Facts about Giving Blood

• At age 16, with parental consent, you can begin donating blood.   There is no age limit, as long as you feel healthy and well.
• It only takes about 60 minutes from start to finish to donate – that includes completing the Donor History Questionnaire, a mini-physical, donating and then getting a snack after donating.
• If every eligible donor came in three times per year to donate, the words urgent, critical, and shortage could be eliminated 98% of the time – three donations a year could end blood shortages.
• Donors are eligible to donate whole blood every 56 days.
• A safe and adequate blood supply is necessary to support patients who face critical traumas, are undergoing aggressive cancer treatment, organ transplants, difficult labor and delivery/postpartum hemorrhagic shock, heart surgery, gastrointestinal bleeds, and other medical conditions.

“I choose to donate blood because it is a small gesture that can truly make a difference to the well-being of patients and there is a true critical shortage of blood.”
– Sam Elgawly, MD, Chief, Hospital Medicine & Resource Stewardship

Inova Blood Donor Services supports a Level I Trauma Center and two Level III Trauma Centers.  Maintaining a sufficient blood supply is critical to the safety and well-being of our community. It is imperative that we do everything we can to increase and maintain the blood supply to support our community’s sickest patients. The need for blood never stops and there is no substitute for human blood when it is needed for a patient.

Please help us with donations today so that we can help provide our patients with a better tomorrow.

Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit inovablood.org to schedule your appointment or inquire about your eligibility to donate today. 

Who:    Inova Blood Donor Services

What:   Recover Blood Supply

When:  Immediately

Where:

• CentreMed Donor Center, 6201 Centreville Road (Route 28), Centreville, VA
• Dulles Donor Center, 45745 Nokes Boulevard, #160, Sterling, VA
• Woodburn Donor Center, 3289 Woodburn Road, #010, Annandale, VA

Photo ID Required. Please allow one hour for your blood donation.

About Inova

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish.​ Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers and outpatient services, Inova cares for more than one million patients annually, delivering the best clinical care and a seamless experience. Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 22,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to every person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.