Donate Blood In South Bay To 'Make It A Summer Full Of life'

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross is urging healthy people to "make this a summer full of life" for patients by donating blood, plasma or platelets.

The nonprofit organization is concerned about blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer, as the nation transitions to a new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and people begin to return to various activities.

"The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break," a Red Cross news release said. "It's critical to have blood ready to go when every second counts."

In thanks for making it a "summer full of life," donors who give blood, plasma or platelets in May will automatically be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five, powered by Suburban Propane, via their SuburbanCares initiative. The Red Cross is also thanking those who donate May 28 through June 13 with a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.

Blood drives are being held across San Diego County. See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

There will be temperature checks, mask-wearing and social distancing. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Carlsbad

• 6/1/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ Presbyterian Church, 7807 Centella St.

Chula Vista

• 5/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 5/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.

Coronado

• 6/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, 2000 2nd St.

El Cajon

• 5/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main St.

Encinitas

• 5/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
• 6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Seacoast Community Church, 1050 Regal Road

Escondido

• 5/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Escondido Charter High School, 1868 E. Valley Parkway
• 5/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E 17th Ave.
• 6/3/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 6/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Kidz Care Dental Corporation, 625 W. Citracado Parkway, #208
• 6/12/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 6/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW Post 1924, 1175 Old Stage Road
• 6/10/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 6/8/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Residence Inn, 8901 Gilman Drive
• 6/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 N Torrey Pines Road

La Mesa

• 5/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

Oceanside

• 5/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 6/2/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 6/3/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Police Department, 3855 Mission Ave.
• 6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, 3501 Seagate Way
• 6/10/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

San Diego

• 5/24/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/25/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/26/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/27/2021: 10:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Rock Church City Heights, 4001 El Cajon Blvd.
• 5/27/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/28/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/29/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/30/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 5/31/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/1/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/2/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/3/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/4/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/5/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/6/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/7/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Logan Temple A.M.E Zion Church, 302 S 32nd St.
• 6/7/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/8/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd.
• 6/8/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/9/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Christ United Methodist Ministry Center, 3295 Meade Ave.
• 6/9/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/10/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/11/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 6/12/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C

San Marcos

• 5/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 5/26/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.
• 5/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Biggs Harley-Davidson, 1040 Los Vallecitos Blvd., #113
• 6/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court
• 6/8/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive

Valley Center

• 5/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Valley Center Community Church, 29022 Cole Grade Road
• 6/6/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Boys and Girls Club Bronner Family Branch Valley Center, 28751 Cole Grade Road

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.