Marines

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Marine Sgt. Reyna gives blood to save lives. The Armed Services Blood Program asks you to participate in this year's Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge Nov. 3 through Dec. 6 to not only save lives, but also to vote for your service to win bragging rights as champions for the year. (Courtesy photo)

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Compete against the Army in blood donor challenge

7 Nov 2016 | Armed Sevices Blood Program Staff Marine Corps Base Quantico

Donors from all over the Washington metro area will save lives during the sixth annual Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge, which will run Nov. 3 through Dec. 6. This year, the ASBP will conduct 12 blood drives in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia over the course of the challenge. All blood collected will directly support ill or injured service members and their families worldwide.

The challenge will be capped off with an on-field award presentation during the Army vs. Navy football game Dec. 10 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

“The long-standing Army-Navy rivalry is what makes this challenge special. ‘Sleeves Up and Game On,’” said Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director. “It’s a great way to encourage donors to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. Every year, soldiers and sailors look forward to this football game; but the best part for us is the number of lives that are saved because of the blood donations that happen over the course of this challenge.”

This is the sixth year the ASBP has conducted the Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge. According to Donna Onwona, ASBP blood donor recruiter in the Washington metro area.

At each of the challenge blood drives, donors vote for either the Army or Navy. The service with the most votes wins. Last year, more than 600 units of blood were collected over the course of 11 blood drives and the Navy took home the challenge trophy with 438 votes to the Army’s 342. When it comes to previous challenge wins, the Navy still has a slight edge — they won in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Army won in 2013; but only time will tell which service wins bragging rights this year.

“By donating blood during this challenge, you are saving lives and casting a vote for your service,” said Navy Cmdr. Jonathan Hoiles, director of the Navy Blood Program.

The 2016 Blood Donor Challenge kicks off Nov. 3 at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The last blood drive will be Dec. 6. All drives 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. To find a blood donation site not listed visit www.militarydonor.com.

Nov. 3 Kick off: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Recreation Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 21: Fort Belvoir, USO Warrior and Family Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 22: Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., Sail Loft Building, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nov. 30: Fort Belvoir,. Nolan Building, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed to general public)

Dec. 5: Marine Corps Base Quantico, Yale Hall/Building 200, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 6: Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Arlington, Fort Myer Gym ,9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Due to the popularity of the Army-Navy Blood Donor Challenge blood drives, donors who can commit to a donation time are urged to make appointments early using the ASBP’s online scheduling system, www.militarydonor.com.   

“The Navy and Marine Corps make a great team and we will team again to win this year’s blood drive,” said Marine Corps Col. Todd Oneto, commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. who in 2015 were recognized for sponsoring the largest Navy blood drive during the challenge.  

For more information about any of the challenge blood drives contact Donna Onwona, ASBP blood donor recruiter, at 202-294-6674 or donna-lee.onwona.civ@mail.mil.


Marine Corps Base Quantico