Donate Blood Near Poway In Honor Of Black History Month

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — In honor of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors — especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 — to give blood in February to honor the legacies of African Americans like Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland. The two Red Cross leaders made a lasting contribution to the organization and for patients in need of lifesaving blood products.

Drew was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. His research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions, according to the Red Cross.

"Many of the processes he developed are still in use today," the organization said in a news release.

Holland was the first African American chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors.

"His commitment to providing the safest possible blood products for patients in need helped inform many safeguards the Red Cross has in place today to not only protect patients but also blood donors," the organization said.

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.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Amazon.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Carlsbad

• 2/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Meadowood Club House, 6780 Camino de Amigos

Chula Vista

• 2/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 2/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.

Coronado

• 2/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh St.

El Cajon

• 2/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main St.

Encinitas

• 2/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena

Escondido

• 2/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Senator Brian Jones and Escondido Chamber of Commerce, 720 N Broadway
• 2/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 2/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 2/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive N
• 2/24/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Residence Inn, 8901 Gilman Drive

La Mesa

• 2/28/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

Oceanside

• 2/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 2/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 2/20/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 705 College Blvd.
• 2/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Ramona

• 2/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., North Coast Church, 1710 Montecito Road

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 2/19/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., T. Claude and Gladys B. Ryan Family YMCA, 4390 Valeta St.
• 2/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of SD, 5055 Governor Drive
• 2/24/2021: 10:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m., Rock Church City Heights, 4001 El Cajon Blvd.

San Marcos

• 2/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.

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.