Donate Blood Near Poway Ahead Of Holidays

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross is urging the public to consider donating blood or platelets around Thanksgiving, as the organization expects donations to drop this holiday season.

All blood types are needed, as blood donations tend to decline from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross continues to test blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, as convalescent plasma may help COVID-19 patients battling the virus, the organization said in a news release. Antibodies indicate a person's immune system has reacted to the virus, but the Red Cross is not offering a diagnostic test.

"Required medical treatments and emergencies don't pause for the holidays or a widespread coronavirus outbreak," the Red Cross said in a news release.

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

Anyone who donates Nov. 25-28 will get a Red Cross long-sleeve T-shirt while supplies last. There will be social distancing, temperature checks and mandatory mask-wearing.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Chula Vista

• 11/22/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hope Worldwide at Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite 138
• 11/23/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., City of Chula Vista hosted at Old Sears Building, 565 Broadway Ave.
• 11/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 11/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Seven Mile, 271 Bay Blvd.

Coronado

• 11/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way

Encinitas

• 11/23/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive
• 11/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 11/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 11/28/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 11/29/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

La Jolla

• 11/20/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive N

Oceanside

• 11/19/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 11/19/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 11/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 11/27/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Ramona

• 11/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Coast Church, 1710 Montecito Road

San Diego

• 11/19/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., South Hills Church, 6090 Banbury St.
• 11/19/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/20/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/21/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/22/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/23/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/24/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/25/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/26/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/27/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/27/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Christ United Methodist Ministry Center, 3295 Meade Ave.
• 11/28/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/29/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/29/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., San Rafael Parish, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive
• 11/30/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Country Inn & Suites, 5975 Lusk Blvd.
• 11/30/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 11/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of SD, 5055 Governor Drive

San Marcos

• 11/19/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.

Vista

• 11/22/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vista Optimist Club, 600 Optismist Way
• 11/24/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church, 2405 North Santa Fe Ave.

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.