Emergency Call For Blood Donors: San Diego County Blood Drives

Kristina Houck
"We hope people can resolve to save lives now – when there is an emergency need – as well as throughout the year."

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – A donation shortfall over the holidays has prompted the American Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors in San Diego County.

The Red Cross collected more than 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations during the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Day than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply, according to the organization. Volunteer sponsor groups also held about 1,350 fewer blood drives than needed to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away.

"Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors," said Cliff Numark, senior vice president of Red Cross Biomedical Services.

"When donations decline – as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up – lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed."

Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types on hand, which is below the ideal five-day supply needed to respond to emergencies and daily hospital needs, according to the organization.

"We hope people can resolve to save lives now – when there is an emergency need – as well as throughout the year," Numark said.

Blood drives are being held across San Diego County. See the list of upcoming blood drives below.

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Bonsall

  • 1/15/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Bonsall High School, 7350 Lilac Rd

Carlsbad

  • 1/18/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Millipore Sigma, 6211 El Camino Real

  • 1/22/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., National University Carlsbad, 705 Palomar Airport Road Suite 206

  • 1/28/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Covidien, 2101 Faraday Ave

  • 2/10/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Song Community Church, 3780 Pio Pico Drive

Chula Vista

  • 1/28/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista South Bay Service Center, 311 Del Mar Ave

  • 1/31/2019: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Chula Vista High School, 820 4th Ave

  • 2/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., High Tech High, 1945 Discovery Falls Drive

Encinitas

  • 2/4/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

  • 1/14/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

  • 1/16/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Police Department, 1163 N. Centre City Parkway

  • 1/20/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Mary Catholic Church, 1170 South Broadway

  • 1/22/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Orange Glen High School, 2200 Glenridge Road

  • 1/26/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

  • 1/26/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Major Market, 1855 South Center City Parkway

  • 2/7/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

  • 2/9/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

  • 2/11/2019: 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

  • 2/11/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Escondido, 201 N. Broadway

Fallbrook

  • 1/22/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Rd

Imperial Beach

  • 2/7/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., San Diego Job Corps, 1325 Iris Ave

  • 2/12/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mar Vista High School, 505 Elm Ave

La Jolla

  • 1/14/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Green Hospital, 10666 N. Torrey Pines Road

  • 1/18/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., UC Thorton Hospital, 9300 Campus Point Drive

  • 1/23/2019: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., University California San Diego RIMAC Arena, 9500 Gilman Drive

  • 1/25/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego Library Walk, 9500 Gilman Drive

  • 1/27/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., LuluLemon, 7835 Girard Street

  • 1/30/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive

  • 2/8/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive

  • 2/15/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego Library Walk, 9500 Gilman Drive

Oceanside

  • 1/24/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

  • 1/31/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

  • 2/3/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., New Song Community Church, 3985 Mission Ave

San Diego

  • 1/14/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/15/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Case Mira View, 9800 Mira Lee Way

  • 1/15/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/16/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/16/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., AVA Cortez Hill, 1399 Ninth Avenue

  • 1/17/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Casa Aldea Senior Living, 14740 Via Fiesta

  • 1/17/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., FICO 4th Floor Lunch Room, 3661 Valley Center

  • 1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Neiman Marcus, 7027 Friars Rd

  • 1/17/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/18/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/19/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/20/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/21/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/22/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, 2425 Dusk Drive

  • 1/22/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/23/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/24/2019: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., LabCorp, 13112 Evening Creek Dr S

  • 1/24/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/24/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., AVA Pacific Beach, 3883 Ingraham St

  • 1/25/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/26/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/27/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/28/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., National University Rancho Bernardo, 16875 West Bernardo Dr.

  • 1/28/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/29/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., University Center, 5998 Alcala Park

  • 1/29/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dexcom, 6290 Sequence Drive

  • 1/29/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/30/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Serra High School, 5156 Santo Road

  • 1/30/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., PIKES House, 5525 Aztec Walk

  • 1/30/2019: 3:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 1/31/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., CarMax, 7766 Balboa Ave

  • 1/31/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/1/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/1/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., SET High School, 3540 Aero Ct.

  • 2/2/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/3/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/4/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/5/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Scripps IS, 8925 Rehco Rd

  • 2/6/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/7/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/7/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tula Community Center, 6124 Montezuma Rd

  • 2/8/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/9/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/10/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/10/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., University Christian Church, 3900 Cleveland Ave

  • 2/11/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/12/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/13/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/14/2019: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Dave & Buster's, 2931 Camino Del Rio N

  • 2/14/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

  • 2/15/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

San Diego State University

  • 1/23/2019: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Dr

  • 2/5/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Dr

San Marcos

  • 1/17/2019: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Twin Oaks High School, 158 Cassou Road

  • 1/17/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Starbucks, 690 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd

  • 1/21/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Block C @ North City, 250 North City Drive

San Ysidro

  • 1/20/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Our Lady of Mt Carmel, 2020 Alaquinas drive

Santee

  • 2/4/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Santee United Methodist Church, 8964 Magnolia Ave

Vista

  • 1/15/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Avalon, 701 Breeze Hill Rd.

What to know about giving blood

Interested in donating? Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for more information or to make an appointment.

A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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