As the DC Defenders battle it out on the field this UFL season, join us in a mission off the field – a mission to save lives through blood donation. For every DC Defenders home win, we pledge to donate blood, you can join us too. We challenge all UFL fans to donate at your local Red Cross Blood Drive center this season.

Mark & Dawns Story

Mark & Dawn 2023 DC Defenders
Mark Dawn 2023

On February 17th 2024 Mark took his wife Dawn to the ER thinking she bad a bad case of the flu. Three weeks later they learned she has a blood cancer called multiple myeloma.

At 48 years of age, a healthy and vibrant person spent two weeks in the hospital. Over the course of her two weeks, including one full week in ICU, she was given three life saving blood transfusions. People have asked them “what can we do to help”. Now is your chance.

Levels of Participation:

Join the cause at various levels and become a hero off the field.

  • Level One: Donate blood once during the UFL season and receive a special “Defenders for Life” sticker.
  • Level Two: Donate blood at the beginning and end of the UFL season. Receive special “Defenders for Life” socks as a thank you.
  • Level Three: Commit to donating blood for every DC Defenders home win and be rewarded with a exclusive “Defenders for Life” T-Shirt.

Logo Vote:

We have unveiled a series of logo designs for our campaign, and you, the fans, have the power to choose the emblem that will represent our effort. The winner of the logo, voted by you the fans, is #2. Followed by #4, #1 and #3

Why We Are Doing This:

Mark, the editor and owner of UFL News Hub, has been a voice in spring football since 2018. The battle against multiple myeloma has not only been a personal journey but a call to action. This campaign merges the love for the game of football with the need for blood donations. Rallying the spring football community to support a cause that touches his life but many others.

Blood Drive Details:

  • Where Can I Give Blood: Find an American Red Cross Blood Donation Center near you
  • Must Have Proof: Take a photo at each donation.
  • How often can I donate blood: According to the Red Cross, you can donate up to 6 times a year. You must wait at least eight weeks (56 days) between donations.
  • How long does a blood donation take: The entire process takes about one hour and 15 minutes; the actual donation of a pint of whole blood unit takes eight to 10 minutes
  • I am In: Email us at [email protected] and tell us you are in and who you are doing this for. We love to hear your story and will keep tabs on you throughout the year.
  • Beer Snake Section: If you participated in the Audi Field Beer Snake section.. wait a couple days before donating blood 🙂
  • Lemons: Lemons are encourage to consume after giving blood.
  • Do I Have To Be A Defenders Fan: No, you can do it for any team in the UFL if you want.
  • Platelet Donations: Those count too

Schedule and Contact:

Call to Action:

“Win with the DC Defenders: Every Victory Brings Life” is more than a campaign; it’s a community coming together for a cause that extends beyond spring football. Inspired by Mark and Dawn’s story, let each victory on the field be a victory for life. Donate blood, support the cause, and wear your participation as a badge of honor. Together, we can make a difference.

Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

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