Emergency Blood Shortage: Donate Blood In Encinitas

ENCINITAS, CA – The American Red Cross is asking people to donate blood or platelets to help address the emergency blood shortage. Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types available and less than a two-day supply of Type O blood.

There are many opportunities for people to donate blood this summer across San Diego County, including in Encinitas. People who donate through Aug. 29 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, according to the Red Cross.

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the American Red Cross 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

4S Ranch

• 8/15/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 4S Ranch Branch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive

Chula Vista

• 8/12/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., PIMA Medical Institute, 780 Bay Blvd.
• 8/13/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Chula Vista Learning Community Charter Elementary School, 590 K St.

Encinitas

• 8/9/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Millennium Dental, 334 Encinitas Blvd.

Escondido

• 8/12/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 8/6/2019: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

Oceanside

• 8/8/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 8/13/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Rancho Bernardo

• 8/5/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., National University Rancho Bernardo, 16875 West Bernardo Drive

San Diego

• 8/5/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/6/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., ICU Medical, 13500 Evening Creek Drive North
• 8/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pacific Center Ct, 10309 Pacific Center Court
• 8/6/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/7/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/8/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Scripps IS, 8925 Rehco Road
• 8/8/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/9/2019: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/10/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/11/2019: 7 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Hope Worldwide Creekside Elementary, 12362 Springhurst Road
• 8/11/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/11/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Patrick Henry High School, 6702 Wandermere Drive
• 8/12/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/13/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/14/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Penasquitos Library, 13330 Salmon River Road
• 8/14/2019: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 8/15/2019: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C

San Marcos

• 8/10/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., eaves, 823 Nordahl Road

Santee

• 8/5/2019: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Santee United Methodist Church, 8964 Magnolia Ave.

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.