How Escondido Residents Can Help Replenish Red Cross Blood Supply

ESCONDIDO, CA — Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. But more donations are needed.

"As that generosity continues, the Red Cross is working around-the-clock to ensure patients have access to lifesaving transfusions and must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations — over and above expectations — each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs," the Red Cross said in a news release.

Escondido residents can help. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross has planned blood drives across San Diego County, including in Escondido.

Anyone who donates through Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice. Donors will also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three winners.

See a list of upcoming San Diego area blood drives below.

Cardiff by the Sea

• 10/24/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 10/31/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad Suite 260, 2525 El Camino Real

Chula Vista

• 10/26/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Chula Vista Presbyterian Church, 940 Hilltop Drive
• 10/30/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

Encinitas

• 11/1/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena

Escondido

• 10/25/2023: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Jersey Mikes, 1829 S Centre City Parkway
• 10/29/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 10/31/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 149, 230 E Park Ave.
• 11/6/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Columbus Club, 515 W Valley Parkway
• 11/7/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 11/7/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

La Jolla

• 10/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty Center of Novel Therapeutics, 9310 Athena Circle
• 11/6/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., UCSD, 9500 Gillman Drive
• 11/8/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., UCSD, 9500 Gillman Drive

Oceanside

• 10/24/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro
• 10/26/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 11/2/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 11/6/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., YMCA, 4701 Mesa Drive
• 11/9/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 10/27/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road
• 10/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community Church of Poway, 13501 Community Road

Rancho Santa Fe

• 11/2/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Morgan Run Club and Resort, 5690 Cancha de Golf

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 10/25/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Canyon Hills High School, 5156 Santo Road
• 10/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Ysidro High School, 5353 Airway Road
• 11/4/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Ryan Family YMCA, 4390 Valeta St.
• 11/5/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., San Rafael Parish, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive
• 11/7/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 4570 Executive Drive
• 11/8/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Petco, 10850 Via Frontera
• 11/9/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of SD, 5055 Governor Drive

San Marcos

• 10/29/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.
• 10/30/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., California State University San Marcos Kellogg Plaza, 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Road

Santee

• 10/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Civic Center, 10601 Magnolia Ave.

Solana Beach

• 11/2/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave.

What To Know About Giving Blood

All blood types are needed. 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.