Red Cross Urges Escondido Residents To Donate Blood This Fall

ESCONDIDO, CA — The American Red Cross is urging Escondido residents to donate blood or platelets this fall to help maintain a steady supply for hospital patients and emergencies.

Donors of all blood types are needed as the organization prepares for unpredictable fall weather and potential natural disasters. The Red Cross said maintaining a stable blood supply allows donations to be transported to hospitals wherever they are needed, including during natural disasters.

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To encourage donations, the Red Cross is offering several limited-time incentives.

Those who donate blood or platelets through Oct. 18 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Donors who give between Oct. 19 and Nov. 22 can receive up to $20 in gift cards, including a $10 Amazon gift card and rewards points redeemable for another $10 e-gift card.

At select blood drives in early October, donors can also receive a free admission ticket to SeaWorld San Diego's Howl-O-Scream event, which features six haunted houses, eight scare zones and live entertainment.

The Red Cross has planned blood drives across San Diego County, including in Escondido. See a list of upcoming San Diego area blood drives below.

Carlsbad

• 10/13/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive
• 10/15/2026: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3450 Camino De Los Coches
• 10/16/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real

Chula Vista

• 10/19/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

El Cajon

• 10/19/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., El Cajon Library, 201 E Douglas Ave.

Encinitas

• 10/9/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena
• 10/30/2026: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

• 10/14/2026: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Escondido Charter High School, 1868 E Valley Parkway
• 10/22/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Orange Glen High School, 2200 Glenridge Road
• 10/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Moose Lodge 1874, 25721 Jesmond Dene Road
• 10/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Adventist Academy, 1301 Deodar Road

Fallbrook

• 10/26/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

National City

• 10/28/2026: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion Post 255, 35 E 18th St.

Oceanside

• 10/11/2026: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Thomas More Catholic Church, 1450 S. Melrose Drive
• 10/13/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 10/15/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 10/27/2026: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, 3603 Ocean Ranch Blvd.
• 10/29/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 10/15/2026: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Community Church of Poway, 13501 Community Road

Rancho Santa Fe

• 10/18/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Village Community Presbyterian Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours.)
• 10/8/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St, Suite 100
• 10/12/2026: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cathedral Catholic High School, 5555 Del Mar Heights Road
• 10/14/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 655 West Broadway, 655 W Broadway
• 10/26/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road

San Marcos

• 10/13/2026: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive

Santee

• 10/28/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Civic Center, 10601 Magnolia Ave.

Vista

• 10/20/2026: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive
• 10/23/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Guajome Park Academy, 2000 N Santa Fe

What To Know About Giving Blood

All blood types are needed. Download the 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 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 and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.