Emergency Blood Shortage Continues: Blood Drive In La Mesa

LA MESA, CA – After issuing an emergency call for blood and platelet donors in early July, the American Red Cross continues to face an emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed – especially type O – to help save lives.

Blood is currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and all eligible donors are needed to give now to help replenish the blood supply, said Christine Welch, a spokeswoman for Red Cross Blood Services. Currently, there is less than a five-day blood supply on hand.

"Patients don't get a summer break from the need for lifesaving treatments, so it is critical that hospitals have access to blood products each and every day," said Nick Gehrig, communications executive of Red Cross Blood Services. "We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives, but the emergency need remains. Those who haven't rolled up a sleeve to give are urged to do so today."

The need is especially critical for type O blood donors, according to the Red Cross. Type O is the most in-demand blood type and often the first to be depleted from hospital shelves during a shortage.

Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be given to patients with any Rh-positive blood type. Type O negative is the universal blood type and can be given to any patient. It's what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine the blood type of patients in the most serious situations.

There are many blood drives planned across San Diego County, including one in La Mesa. People who donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, according to the Red Cross.

How to Help

The Red Cross has added about 6,500 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Make an appointment and complete a RapidPass online health history questionnaire to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming Blood Drives in San Diego County

Bonita

• 8/5/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 450 Corral Canyon Road

Carlsbad

• 7/25/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., National University, Carlsbad Campus, 705 Palomar Airport Road Suite 206

Chula Vista

• 7/31/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., South Bay Community Center, 311 Del Mar Ave.

El Cajon

• 8/6/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., El Cajon Heartland Masonic, 695 Ballantyne St.

Encinitas

• 7/30/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive
• 8/2/2018: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
• 8/13/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

• 7/27/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway
• 7/28/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 7/29/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/2/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 8/5/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/8/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Mercedes Benz, 1101 W. 9th Ave.
• 8/11/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 8/13/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 8/7/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

Imperial Beach

• 8/1/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mar Vista High School, 505 Elm Ave.

La Jolla

• 8/3/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., California Pizza Kitchen, 3363 Nobel Drive
• 8/6/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., University California San Diego Library Walk, 9500 Gilman Drive
• 8/14/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, 9888 Genesee Ave.

La Mesa

• 8/10/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

Oceanside

• 7/26/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 3404 Marron Road
• 7/26/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/27/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 8-2-8 Urgent Care, 4171 Oceanside Ave., Suite 109
• 8/4/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wal-Mart, 705 College Blvd.
• 8/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 8/2/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chef Works, 12325 Kerran St.

San Diego

• 7/25/2018: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., ICE, 880 Front St.
• 7/25/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/26/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/26/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., AVA Pacific Beach, 3883 Ingraham St.
• 7/27/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/30/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 7/31/2018: 3:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/1/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/2/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/3/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/3/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Case Mira View, 9800 Mira Lee Way
• 8/4/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/5/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/6/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/7/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Ysidro High School, 5353 Airway Road
• 8/7/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Vons Scripps Poway Parkway, 10675 Scripps Poway Parkway
• 8/7/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/8/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/9/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Magellan Health Services, 3131 Camino Del Rio North
• 8/9/2018: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/10/2018: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/11/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/12/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/12/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., USS Midway San Diego, 910 N. Harbor Drive
• 8/13/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/14/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pacific Center Court, 10309 Pacific Center Court
• 8/14/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C
• 8/14/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Nordstrom, 4401 La Jolla Village Drive
• 8/15/2018: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave. Suite C

San Marcos

• 7/25/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Teamwork Athletic Apparel, 1248 Los Vallecitos Blvd.
• 7/26/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of San Marcos City Hall, 1 Civic Center Drive
• 7/30/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., PIMA Medical Institute, 111 Campus Way
• 7/31/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North County Health Services, 150 Valpreda Road
• 8/1/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., California College, 277 Rancheros Drive, Suite 200
• 8/6/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., San Marcos Orthodontics, 833 W San Marcos Blvd.

What to Know About Giving Blood

All blood types are needed.

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

Top photo credit: Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio/American Red Cross