Lifesaver showdown

March 11, 2026

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Team Inova blood donation challenge

This April, Inova team members are invited to step up to the plate and help save lives in the DC area through a friendly department competition. The Lifesaver Showdown is a month-long blood donation challenge where Inova teams go head-to-head to see which department can make the biggest lifesaving impact.

From April 1 – 30, departments across Inova will rally their colleagues, recruit donors and donate at the Dulles Donor Center. Every successful donation earns points for your team, helping ensure local patients have the blood they need for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment and more.

At the end of the campaign, the department with the highest total points will be crowned the winner. The winning department will receive:

  • A catered lunch for the entire team
  • Recognition in Inova leadership communications
  • A team photo spotlight on Inova Blood Donor Services social media
  • Exclusive spring shirts
  • Meal vouchers redeemable at any Inova hospital location

Beyond the prizes, your team will earn something even more meaningful: the knowledge that your group helped save lives in our community.

Details

When: April 1 – 30
Where: Dulles Donor Center in Sterling, VA
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Eligible donation dates:
April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30

To count toward the competition, donations must:

  • Be completed on a Wednesday or Thursday
  • Take place at the Dulles Donor Center
  • Be successfully completed during the campaign dates listed above
  • Include your team’s group code when you check in so your donation can be credited to your department

How it works

Groups/ departments compete as teams throughout the month, earning points for each successful donation.

Point system

  • Whole blood donation: 1 point
  • Double red or platelet donation: 2 points

Weekly leaderboard updates will be shared with team captains so teams can track their progress and keep the competition going.

The department with the highest total points at the end of the campaign wins.

How to sign up

1. Create your Team

Choose a team captain and decide on a team name. Team captains, contact gino.pascual@inova.org to request a group code that will track your team’s donations.

2. Recruit donors

Encourage colleagues in your department to participate in the challenge. The more donors your team recruits, the more points you can earn.

3. Schedule

Schedule a donation appointment during one of the eligible campaign dates. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-866-256-6372.

4. Check in with group code

When you arrive at the Dulles Donor Center, be sure to tell your Donor Specialist your group code so your donation is credited to your team.

Winning team announcement

The Inova Blood Donor Services team will calculate the final scores once the campaign ends. The winning department will be announced on May 5, and the team captain will be contacted directly.


Join the Challenge

Bring your department together, spark some friendly competition and help ensure local patients have the lifesaving blood they need.

Schedule your donation during April and help your team take the lead.