Summer Blood Donations Needed: Where To Give Around Capitola and Soquel

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA - The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood in the weeks surrounding Independence Day to help ensure a sufficient blood supply for patients now and throughout the summer.

Blood donations often decline in the summer months, especially around summer holidays when donors are less available to give. The need for blood doesn’t decrease though – every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires blood or platelets. In fact, a recent survey of Red Cross blood and platelet donors showed that nearly half knew someone who needed blood or they needed blood themselves.

To encourage more people to donate around Independence Day, all those who come out to donate blood July 1-5, 2016, will receive a limited-edition Red Cross lunch cooler, while supplies last.

Donors of all blood types are needed now. Schedule an appointment to give blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Santa Cruz County:

Aptos
July 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive

Ben Lomond
July 15 from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ben Lomond, 9545 Lovecreek Road

Capitola
July 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Ave.

Santa Cruz
July 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.
July 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 220 Elk St.

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In Santa Clara County

Campbell
July 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Right Stuff, 1730 W. Campbell Ave.
July 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pruneyard Towers at The Pruneyard, 1901 S. Bascom Ave.

Gilroy
July 14 from 1 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave.

Los Altos
July 8 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Los Altos, 1300 Grant Road

Los Gatos
July 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 219 Bean Ave.

Palo Alto
July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Skype, 3210 Porter Drive

San Jose
July 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, San Jose, 4977 San Felipe Road
July 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive
July 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.
July 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at San Jose Blood Donation Center, 2731 N. First St.

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In Monterey County:

Monterey
July 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ryan Ranch Building 30, Ryan Ranch Office Park, 30 Ragsdale Drive, Suite 101

Seaside
July 7 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Seaside, 1024 Noche Buena St.

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How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visitredcrossblood.org/RapidPassand follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visitredcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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