Washington D.C. Metro Area Hosts Eleventh Annual ASBP Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge

Photo By Sarah Lopez | The ASBP Armed Services Blood Bank Center – National Capital Region hosts the eleventh annual 2021 Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge at select blood drives and centers in the area; ahead of the December 11 Army vs. Navy football game.  

BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

10.21.2021

Story by Donna Onwona 

Defense Health Agency

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 eleventh annual Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge, leading up to the Army vs. Navy football game on December 11 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Locations across the National Capital Region will host blood drives as part of the blood donor challenge from November 1 through December 7. 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 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 to increase donations and raise awareness of the ASBP mission: collecting lifesaving blood donations for all Service members and their families and bringing much needed donations during typical winter shortages.

Navy Lt. Ken Frati, director, ASBBC-NCR, explained that there is a great need for whole blood, platelet and COVID-19 convalescent plasma donations from both civilians and service members from any service branch throughout the National Capital Region. “Each donation is a humanitarian act to a service member in the darkest moment of their life, often far from home. The chance to vote for the Navy or Army to have bragging rights for the next year makes that donation even more special. I hope everyone who can donate finds it in their hearts to do so… and votes for Navy! Go Navy!”

Navy has won the challenge in 6 of the last 10 years but Army won in 2020 and hopes to repeat. As in years past, it will likely come down to the last day of the challenge.

ASBP Division Chief Army Col. Audra Taylor 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, especially with the continuing need for whole blood, platelets and COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

“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. When you donate during this challenge, it’s a win for all,” said Taylor. “We hope this challenge will inspire new donors into the ASBP family as well as engage repeat donors. It was close last year, and Army came through as the challenge winner. We expect Navy to try and get back on a winning streak, but my hope is Army comes through again with also a win on the football field! Go Army!”

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. 7, donors will be able to cast their vote for their team and be counted in the challenge.

There will also be specific challenge blood drives held throughout the area and are open to individuals from all Services and civilians who can access the blood drive location, unless otherwise noted. Proper identification is required to access all drives. 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.

Below are the times, dates, and locations to take part in the 2021 Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge.

Blood Donor Centers: Nov. 1 – Dec. 7

• 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.

November Blood Drives:
• Wednesday, Nov. 3: Marine Corps Base Quantico Headquarters Battalion, Yale Hall/Building 2006, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10: Fort Belvoir — USO Warrior and Family Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 15: Naval Support Facility Dahlgren — Dahlgren Fitness Center, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 16: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall — Fort Myer Fitness Center, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17: Aberdeen Proving Ground North — Recreation Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 18: Washington Navy Yard — Building 197, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (closed to the public)
• Tuesday, Nov. 23: Fort Meade — McGill Training Center, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 29: Aberdeen Proving Ground South — Stark Recreation Center, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 30: United States Naval Academy — Mitscher Hall, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December Blood Drives:
• Thursday, Dec. 2: Fort Belvoir — USO Warrior and Family Center, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 6: Fort Detrick — Building 1520, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 7: Ravenrock — Fire Station, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (closed to the public)

For more information about any of the challenge blood drives, contact Donna Onwona, ASBP blood donor recruiter, at [phone], or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 10.21.2021
• Date Posted: 10.21.2021 09:11
• Story ID: 407680
• Location: BETHESDA, MD, US