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Washington, D.C., metro area blood donors have an opportunity to help the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) save lives by donating blood at specific regional drives during the twelfth annual Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge, leading up to the Army vs. Navy football game on December 10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Locations across the National Capital Region will host blood drives as part of the blood donor challenge from November 1 through December 6. At the time of donation, participants will have a chance to cast a vote for ‘Army’ or ‘Navy’; votes will be tallied to determine the winner of the challenge.
The annual Army-Navy football game, one of the great rivalries in sports, is the inspiration for the challenge. This exciting game is over 130 years old; the competition on the field is fierce and brings bragging rights for the next year to the victor. With this in mind, the Armed Services Blood Bank Center – National Capital Region (ASBBC-NCR) uses this rivalry each year raise awareness of the ASBP mission: collecting lifesaving blood donations for all Service members and their families; bringing much needed donations during typical winter shortages.
ASBP Division Chief Navy Capt. Leslie “Les” Riggs is an advocate for the friendly rivalry and is looking forward to another season of goodhearted rivalry and giving, emphasizing how important every donation is.
“We are all part of the same team with the shared goal to ensure that all our Service members have lifesaving blood when they need it.” said Riggs. “We hope this challenge will inspire and engage our new and repeat donors. It was close last year, and Army came through as the challenge winner. We expect Army to try and get back on a winning streak, but my hope is Navy comes through again with also a win on the football field! Go Navy!”
Army Col. Christopher Bartos, 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives (CBRNE) Deputy Commander, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, one of the many locations of the challenge drives this year, explained that there is a great need for whole blood, and platelets, both civilians and service members from any service branch throughout the National Capital Region.
“As interesting as the Army-Navy football rivalry is, it is not nearly as important as the Army-Navy blood donor challenge,” he stated. “A Soldier does not have to play Army Football to beat the Navy, just donate. The donations, we make today will save a life tomorrow, it is an easy win for all of us!"
Over the last 12 years, the two Services have traded back and forth the title of victor. As in years past, it will likely come down to the last day of the challenge.
The challenge kicks off at the ASBBC-NCR Bethesda (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) and the Pentagon Blood Donor Centers on Nov. 1. When you donate at either facility or a mobile blood drive through Dec. 6, donors will be able to cast their vote for their team and be counted in the challenge.
Blood Donor Centers: Nov. 1 – Dec. 6
• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Building 9 Apheresis Donor Center, Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Pentagon Blood Donor Center, Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
There are also specific challenge blood drives held throughout the area. The ASBBC-NCR is thankful for the sponsors of each of the specific blood drive locations who are ready to be a part of the challenge:
• Fort Detrick
• Aberdeen Proving Ground North
• Marine Corps Base Quantico Headquarters Battalion
• Fort Meade –Smallwood Hall
• Naval Support Facility Dahlgren
• Fort Belvoir
• National Museum of the United States Army
• Aberdeen Proving Ground South
• Uniformed Services University
• United States Naval Academy
• Carderock
Scheduling a donation appointment in advance is required due to the popularity of this set of blood drives and social distancing requirements. To do so, please visit www.militarydonor.com. Please note that some drive locations are not open to the public.
For more information about any of the challenge blood drives, contact Shawntel Trowell, ASBP blood donor recruiter, at (240) 271-8108, shawntel.c.trowell.civ@mail.mil or Donna Onwona, ASBP blood donor recruiter, at (202) 294-6674.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2022 13:39 |
| Story ID: | 432400 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
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