Inova in critical need of type O- blood donors

Falls Church, VA –– The need for blood donors, especially those with O-negative blood, has reached an all-time high. All blood types are needed, 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.  Type O negative blood plays a crucial role in emergency situations, serving as the universal blood type that can be swiftly administered to trauma patients, ensuring timely and life-saving transfusions when every moment is critical.

Following the holiday season, inventory is critically low and Inova is encouraging all eligible donors to make an appointment today.

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 seven days a week.

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

• Sunday, Jan. 7: Inova Center for Personalized Health, Fairfax, VA https://www.inovablood.org/event/icph17/
• Wednesday, Jan. 10: Carlyle Neighborhood Blood Drive, Alexandria, VA
  https://www.inovablood.org/event/carlyle-neighborhood-blood-drive-jan/
• Thursday, Jan. 11: Social Burger Blood Drive Blood Drive, Vienna, VA
  https://www.inovablood.org/event/socialburger124/
• Saturday, Jan. 13: Holy Spirit Catholic Church Blood Drive, Annandale, VA
  https://www.inovablood.org/event/holy-spirit-catholic-church-jan/
• Monday, Jan. 15: Give Day Blood Drive at Meridian High School, Falls Church, VA
  https://www.inovablood.org/event/give-day-2/

View all Inova blood drives in January.

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.
• Donor eligibility has been updated in recent months with fewer restrictions based on sexual orientation and among people who previously resided in Europe – view comprehensive eligibility list
• 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.
• 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.

Donate blood with Inova this January during National Blood Donor Month and be a lifeline for those in need.

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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.