ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have teamed up with the Inova Blood Donor Services to host their second-annual blood drive on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. Last season the Caps Inova Blood Drive collected 415 units of blood from 462 Caps fans, the most successful blood donation campaign hosted by the Capitals.
 
The first 500 people to schedule an appointment and attempt to give blood that day will receive a Mike Green jersey T-shirt and an autographed photo.  All donors will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets with suite level seating – nine pairs of tickets will be drawn.
 
“Donating blood makes a significant difference and helps save lives,” said Capitals defenseman Mike Green. “This is an important issue where everyone can help. I encourage all Caps fans to come out, participate and help others.”  The Caps are also planning a spring blood drive for March 2010.
 
One blood donation can save up to three lives, and the 415 units collected last year helped more than 1,200 local patients. There is a continual need for all blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, for patients in area hospitals. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients. Inova Blood Donor Services is the major supplier of blood products in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
 
Donors can make an appointment now by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or sign up online at www.inova.org/donateblood. Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button (on the right side), and use sponsor code 7441 or zip code 22203 to find the Capitals drive. Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be permitted to donate. There is limited space available – only the first 500 fans to sign up will be able to participate. The entire donation process takes approximately one hour.
 
To give blood, you must be feeling generally well on the day of your donation, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days). There is a one week wait to donate after any tattoos or body piercings. There are other factors that may affect your eligibility to give blood; any questions can be answered by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES or by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood.
 
Aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron level) are measured.