Inova announces new Summer Donor Challenge, recognizes repeat blood donors

Fairfax, VA – Inova Blood Donor Services is excited to announce the launch of its Summer Repeat Donor Challenge. From now until October 6, donors will be automatically entered to win a $500 gift card if they donate blood twice during the challenge period. This challenge is a fantastic opportunity for donors to make an even greater impact on the lives of those in need. Please help Inova with donations today so that they can continue to provide their patients with a better tomorrow. Donors may participate at any of Inova’s three donor center locations.

This announcement follows the successful Blood Donor Recognition Dinner held World Donor Day, June 14, 2024. The event celebrated the life-saving contributions of Inova’s top blood donors. The event, which took place at The Inova Conference Center, honored those who have given the gift of life through their generous blood donations ranging from 5 to 25+ gallons over their lifetime.

“We truly appreciate every donor that takes the time to donate to our patients and we want to give a special thank you to our frequent donors, as well as those that have hit milestones this past year. The gallons of blood and the hundreds of donations that they have made have saved countless lives over the years. Blood is a medicine that cannot be fabricated and can only come from dedicated volunteer blood donors. We would not be able to save our patients without their support,” said Nicholas Lilly, Inova’s Senior Director of Blood Donor Services. 

The event was attended by more than 150 loyal donors, community leaders, and supporters of Inova Blood Donor Services. Highlights of the evening’s program included inspiring stories of lives saved through blood donation from both donors and recipients, and a special award ceremony for top donors who have generously given more than 25 gallons of blood over a lifetime.

Inova is excited to share photos and a video from the dinner, capturing the spirit of gratitude and community that defines Inova and recognizing the selfless individuals who make their life-saving mission possible. Photos from the event can be found HERE. The video can be viewed HERE.

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 the 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.

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

For more information about the event or to schedule interviews, please contact: Tracy Connell, tracy.connell@inova.org              

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.

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.