Inova Blood Donor Services Makes Plea for Volunteer Blood Donations

Inova Blood Donor Services, which serves both Inova hospitals and nine other facilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, is making a special plea for volunteer blood donations.

Inova Blood Director Terri Craddock said there has been an increase in the need for blood during the last several weeks due to a high number of trauma accidents, surgeries, transfusions, labor and deliveries.

“It is a critical time for the community to pull together and support one another in a way only volunteer blood donors can,” Craddock said.

Inova is asking residents to take an hour to donate blood for accident victims or 90 minutes to donate platelets for cancer patients or premature babies.

Inova Blood Donor Services also is currently conducting a "Pint for a Pint" promotion. Donors receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream through Aug. 31.

For more information on how to donate blood, go online to www.inova.org/donateblood or call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372).