Capitals to Host Annual Winter Blood Drive Saturday, Dec. 8, at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals and Inova Blood Donor Services will host the Capitals annual winter blood drive on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.

Donors will receive a limited edition Slapshot bobblehead and T-shirt. In addition donors will have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa Slapshot from 9-10 a.m., 12-1 p.m. or 3-4 p.m. in a winter wonderland scene. One free photo and a picture frame will be provided to each donor.

More than 250 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, for patients in area hospitals. One blood donation can save up to three lives, and there is a continual need for all blood types. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients.

Donors can make an appointment now by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or by signing up online at inova.org/donateblood. On the website click “Donate Blood” and “Find a community blood drive” and use sponsor code 7441. The donation process takes around one hour.

To give blood, donors must be feeling generally well on the day of their donation, be at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days) for whole blood or 112 days for double red cells. For more information about eligibility requirements call 1-866-BLOODSAVES or visit 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, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron level) are measured.

Inova Blood Donor Services is the major supplier of blood products in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.