‘Critical Shortage' Of Blood Donations: Upcoming Drives In Imperial Beach, San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross continues to face a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types. Overall, the summer months are among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they participate in summer activities and go on vacation.

A lack of donations in May and June prompted the emergency call for donations in early July. According to the Red Cross, the shortfall was the equivalent of the organization not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.

“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director of Red Cross Blood Services. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”

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.

As a special thank you, those who give blood or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target e-gift card.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Alpine

• Aug. 14: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Alpine Branch Library, 1752 Alpine Blvd.

Bonita

• Aug. 6: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 450 Corral Canyon Road

Carlsbad

• July 26: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., National University Carlsbad, 705 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 206

Chula Vista

• July 26: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City Hall, 276 Fourth Ave, Building C
• Aug. 4: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave.

Coronado

• Aug. 11: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Coronado Police Department, 700 Orange Ave.

El Cajon

• July 26: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., El Cajon Police Department, 100 Civic Center Way
• Aug. 7: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., El Cajon Heartland Masonic, 695 Ballantyne St.

Escondido

• July 29: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• July 30: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• Aug. 5: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• Aug. 6: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• Aug. 7: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• Aug. 9: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Mercedes Benz, 1101 W. 9th Ave.
• Aug. 12: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• Aug. 14: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• Aug. 15: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

Imperial Beach

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

La Jolla

• Aug. 2: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive
• Aug. 7: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Synthetic Genomics, 11149 North Torrey Pines Road
• Aug. 10: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive

National City

• July 26: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Community Center, 140 E 12th St.

Oceanside

• July 27: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• Aug. 5: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 705 College Blvd.
• Aug. 10: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

San Diego

• July 28: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., AVA Pacific Beach, 3883 Ingraham St.
• July 28: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• July 28: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Circle K, 13007 Camino del Sur
• July 29: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• July 30: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• July 31: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 3382 Murphy Canyon Road
• July 31: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• July 31: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., St Paul's Senior Services, 328 Maple St.
• Aug. 1: 12:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 12: 12:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 13: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., ICE ERO, 880 Front St.
• Aug. 4: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Paradise Point Mission Bay, 1404 Vacation Road
• Aug. 4: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 5: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 6: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 7: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 8: 12:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 8: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Ysidro High School, 5353 Airway Road
• Aug. 9: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Penasquitos Library, 13330 Salmon River Road
• Aug. 10: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., FICO 4th Floor Lunch Room, 3661 Valley Center
• Aug. 11: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 12: 7:45 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave,. Suite C
• Aug. 13: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., USS Midway San Diego, 910 N. Harbor Drive
• Aug. 13: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 14: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Comerica Bank, 11608 Carmel Mountain Road
• Aug. 14: 12:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 15: 12:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• Aug. 15: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pacific Center Court, 10309 Pacific Center Court

San Marcos

• July 26: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Teamwork Athletic Apparel, 1248 Los Vallecitos Blvd.
• July 27: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of San Marcos City Hall, 1 Civic Center Drive
• Aug. 1: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North County Health Services, 150 Valpreda Road
• Aug. 11: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Block C @ North City, 250 North City Drive
• Aug. 13: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., eaves, 823 Nordahl Road

San Ysidro

• July 30: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 2020 Alaquinas Drive

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 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Photos credit Amanda Romney/American Red Cross