Inova in Critical Need of Type O + Blood Donors

clip_image001 — Inova is in dire need of blood donations- particularly O +. Photo provided.

Inova’s blood supply has reached critically low levels. The hospital is in dire need of type O+ blood donors immediately. Although all blood types are needed, 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’re eligible to donate blood, please make an appointment or walk-in to an Inova Blood Donor Center. Inova Blood Donor Services supports all five Inova hospitals, as well as 13 other hospitals in the region.

If you’re 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’s 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.”
– Dr. Sam, 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 the community with donations today so that Inova can help provide their 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.

The three donor centers in Northern Virginia are open 7 days a week.