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Need for blood donations in DC area is at ‘high critical level’

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON —  The D.C. region’s main supplier of donated blood is looking to attract more donors, even offering a $10 gas card incentive, as the area’s blood supplies dwindle.

“The need … is at a high critical level,” said Heather Wade, manager of donor recruitment for Inova Blood Donor Services.

“We’re trying to boost up our supply, our inventory, to make sure that every patient across our area has what they need for a chance to fight another day,” Wade said. Inova Blood Donor Services collects and distributes 90 percent of the blood used in regional hospitals.

To lure in donors, Inova is giving $10 gas cards to people who complete the screening process at three Virginia donation centers on Friday. The gift cards are available while supplies last.

Donation collection hours vary by location in Centreville, Sterling and Annandale.

In addition to usual demands for myriad conditions, Wade said area blood supplies have been depleted by a number of car crashes over the past several weeks and an increase in oncology patients.

“Patients have required significant amounts of blood product transfusions,” Wade said, at the same time that donations are down because of summer activities and out-of-town vacations.

The lull in donations usually lasts through early September.

“Blood donations make an incredible difference,” Wade said in hopes of persuading potential donors.

Blood donors typically don’t meet recipients they help save, but Wade said workers at blood donor services sometimes do get to meet the families.

“I will tell you that they are some of the most grateful and gracious people that I have ever met, because we have given their loved one another chance at life,” Wade said.

For more information on donating blood, visit www.inovablood.org or call 1-866-256-6372.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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