Blood Shortage Continues: Red Cross Needs Donors In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA — The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood and platelets as a "severe blood shortage" continues. Donors of all blood types — especially type O and those giving platelets — are needed.

"Right now, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demand as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries," a Red Cross news release said.

Blood drives are being held across San Diego County, including in La Mesa. See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

Individuals who donate July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott's Berry Farm.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a blood drive. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance, according to the Red Cross. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Bonita

• 7/19/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bonita Valley Community Church, 4744 Bonita Road

Carlsbad

• 7/20/2021: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Giaola Italian Kitchen, 2668 Gateway Blvd., #180
• 7/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jersey Mike's, 7110 Avenida Encinas

Chula Vista

• 7/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 7/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.
• 7/21/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., United Education Institute, 1261 3rd Ave., Suite A
• 7/26/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite 138

Encinitas

• 7/22/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 7/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 7/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Police Department, 1163 N. Centre City Parkway
• 7/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 7/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Universal Church, 300 N Broadway

La Jolla

• 7/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive N

La Mesa

• 7/25/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

National City

• 7/21/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Community Center, 140 E 12th St.

Oceanside

• 7/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/30/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real

Ramona

• 7/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane

San Diego

• Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 7/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Diego Science Center, 3030 Bunker Hill St.
• 7/26/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Ryan Family YMCA, 4390 Valeta St.
• 7/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The US Grant, 326 Broadway
• 7/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hsi Fang Temple, 4536 Park Blvd.
• 7/28/2021: 10:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Rock Church City Heights, 4001 El Cajon Blvd.
• 7/28/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., University Club Atop Symphony Towers, 750 B St., 34th Floor
• 7/28/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Copley Family YMCA, 4300 El Cajon Blvd.
• 7/29/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jersey Mike’s Balboa, 5657 Balboa Ave.

San Marcos

• 7/18/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hope Worldwide North County Albertsons, 1571 San Elijo Road
• 7/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 7/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.
• 7/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., MARC, 1045 Armorlite Drive

Solana Beach

• 7/27/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jersey Mike’s, 915 Lomas Santa Fe Drive

Vista

• 7/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Jersey Mike's, 1350 E Vista Way, Suite 6

What to know about giving blood

All blood types are needed. Interested in donating? 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.

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.