Donate Blood In La Jolla To Prevent Shortage: Where To Donate

LA JOLLA, CA — After a summer of declining donations, the American Red Cross is seeking the public's help to prevent a national blood shortage.

The Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive and type B negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors, according to the nonprofit organization, which supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood.

"When a donor makes and keeps an appointment to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead, they can help ensure trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatment, and people with lifelong blood disorders can get the blood they count on," a Red Cross news release said.

The Red Cross is hosting blood drives across San Diego County, including in La Jolla, and offering incentives for donors.

Anyone who donates through Aug. 12 will automatically be entered to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium, courtesy of Warner Bros. for the theatrical release of "Meg 2: The Trench." Donors in August will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice.

See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

Carlsbad

• 8/1/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church Carlsbad Campus, 2310 Camino Vida Roble, Suite 104
• 8/11/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real

Chula Vista

• 8/2/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.
• 8/6/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Otay Ranch Shopping Center, 2015 Birch Road
• 8/7/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite 1088
• 8/14/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

El Cajon

• 8/10/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main St.

Encinitas

• 8/2/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena
• 8/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 8/1/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church San Marcos/Escondido, 1451 Montiel Road
• 8/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 8/8/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

Imperial Beach

• 8/15/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Novo Brazil Brewing Co, 535 Florence St.

La Jolla

• 8/10/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 N Torrey Pines Road

Oceanside

• 8/3/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 8/7/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., YMCA, 4701 Mesa Drive
• 8/10/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 8/15/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Mossy Nissan Poway, 14100 Poway Road

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (see RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 8/2/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Integrated DNA Technologies, 6828 Nancy Ridge, Suite 400
• 8/2/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 5555 Oberlin Drive
• 8/3/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., CarMax, 7766 Balboa Ave.
• 8/6/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Del Mar Social in Honor of Rob Brand, 3444 Tripp Court, Suite A2
• 8/8/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 4570 Executive Drive
• 8/8/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., VA San Diego Healthcare, 8875 Aero Drive
• 8/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive
• 8/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Ashley Furniture Miramar, 7770 Miramar Road
• 8/15/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Crown Air, 3794 John J Montgomery Drive

San Marcos

• 8/9/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lusardi Construction, 1570 Linda Vista
• 8/13/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.

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.