LAFA Blood Donation Page

Donate Blood
and save a life or two

Reason for the Current Shortage

Recently the FDA, in the interest of ensuring a more safe blood product, has expanded the definition of ineligible donors to include:

Donors who spent a total of three months or more in the United Kingdom (UK) from the beginning of 1980 through the end of 1996;
Donors who have spent a total of five years or more in France from 1980 to the present;
Current or former US military personnel, civilian military employees and their dependents who resided at US military bases in Northern Europe (Germany, UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands) for a total of six months or more from 1980 through 1990, or elsewhere in Europe (Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and Italy) from 1980 through 1996.

These restrictions have made many of the military in our Washington, Northern Virginia, and Maryland ineligible and has made the national blood shortage situation worse in our region.

Even if you aren't in the Washington DC area your blood is no less important or valuable in saving lives. Donate where ever you live and fill out the anonymous donation report form every time you donate so we can keep track of just how much of a difference we are making nationally. We will post statistics of our blood donations on this website and we will find out which class outclasses the others.

Learn more about donating blood at INOVA Blood Centers in the Virginia, Maryland and DC area. Request an Appointment on the internet or call (866-256-6372) for an appointment in the DC area.

Learn more about donating blood nationally from the American Red Cross.