Donate Blood, Enter To Win Free Gas For A Year In La Jolla

LA JOLLA, 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 San Diego 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, 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 La Jolla. 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

Bonita

• 8/10/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bonita - Sunnyside Library, 4375 Bonita Road

Carlsbad

• 8/2/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church Carlsbad Campus, 2310 Camino Vida Roble, #104
• 8/7/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real
• 8/8/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 5934 Priestly Drive

Chula Vista

• 8/7/2022: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Otay Ranch Shopping Center, 2015 Birch Road
• 8/8/2022: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite 1088

El Cajon

• 8/4/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main St.
• 8/5/2022: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., KIA of El Cajon, 541 N Johnson Ave.

Encinitas

• 8/3/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena
• 8/11/2022: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

• 8/3/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church San Marcos/Escondido, 1451 Montiel Road
• 8/6/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 8/2/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road
• 8/3/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW Post 1924, 1175 Old Stage Road
• 8/15/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 8/11/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 N Torrey Pines Road

La Mesa

• 8/14/2022: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

Lakeside

• 8/15/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hill Country Community Church, 8950 Lakeview Road

Oceanside

• 8/4/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 8/8/2022: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., YMCA, 4701 Mesa Drive
• 8/11/2022: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 8/4/2022: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road
• 8/13/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Community Church of Poway, 13501 Community Road

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (see RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 8/1/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Christ United Methodist Ministry Center, 3295 Meade Ave.
• 8/2/2022: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd.
• 8/3/2022: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Integrated DNA Technologies, 6828 Nancy Ridge, Suite 400
• 8/9/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 4570 Executive Drive

San Marcos

• 8/10/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court

Solana Beach

• 8/9/2022: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave.

Vista

• 8/10/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus 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 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.