Donate Blood, Enter To Win Free Gas For A Year In Agoura Hills

AGOURA HILLS, CA — The American Red Cross blood supply has dropped nearly 20 percent in recent weeks due to a decline in blood and platelet donations, the organization announced.

To prevent a blood shortage, the Red Cross is hosting blood drives across Los Angeles County and offering incentives for donors.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets between Aug. 1-31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win free gas for a year, a $6,000 value, according to the Red Cross. Donors will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

"This is a concerning trend that may soon make it tougher to keep blood products stocked on hospital shelves," Paul Sullivan, Red Cross senior vice president of donor services, said in a news release. "By choosing a time to give now, donors can help pump up the blood supply for those in immediate need of lifesaving care and those who rely on transfusions for treatment."

Red Cross blood drives are taking place across the county, including in Agoura Hills. See a list of upcoming blood drives below. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a blood drive.

Blood Donation Opportunities

Here's where you can give blood in Agoura Hills:

• Tuesday, Leo Carillo State Beach, 3500 Pacific Coast Highway.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, Woodland Hills Blood Donation Center, 21333 Oxnard St.
• Wednesday, Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd.
• Thursday, Hampton Inn, 30255 Agoura Road.
• Friday, KLOS Radio - Thousand Oaks, 75 W Thousand Oaks.

What To Know About Giving Blood.

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 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.