La Jolla Residents Could Win Free Gas For A Year By Donating Blood

LA JOLLA, CA — The American Red Cross is encouraging donors to "pump up the blood supply" and keep it from falling to shortage levels in August.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets through Aug. 31 will be entered for a chance to win free gas for a year, a $6,000 value, according to the Red Cross. There will be three winners.

"We are seeing that donors are coming out for a variety of reasons including this exciting opportunity to win gas for a year," Red Cross spokesperson Dana Simmons told Patch.

Donors will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

Red Cross blood drives are taking place across San Diego 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

Cardiff

• 8/29/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Encinitas Elks Lodge 2243, 1393 Windsor Road

Cardiff by the Sea

• 8/23/2022: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 8/24/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real

Chula Vista

• 8/22/2022: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 8/26/2022: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Bayfront Charter High School, 830 Bay Blvd.
• 8/29/2022: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

El Cajon

• 8/21/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Parkway Plaza, 415 Parkway Plaza

Encinitas

• 8/11/2022: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive
• 8/19/2022: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 8/16/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westfield North County, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/20/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 8/25/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Escondido, 201 N. Broadway
• 8/28/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Mary Catholic Church, 1170 S. Broadway
• 8/31/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Adventist Academy, 1301 Deodar Road

Fallbrook

• 8/15/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

Imperial Beach

• 8/31/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Mar Vista High School, 505 Elm Ave.
• 8/31/2022: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., San Diego Job Corps, 1325 Iris Ave.

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

• 8/11/2022: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 8/18/2022: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 705 College Blvd.
• 8/19/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, 3501 Seagate Way
• 8/22/2022: 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., United Education Institute Oceanside, 2027 Mission Ave.
• 8/25/2022: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 8/13/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Community Church of Poway, 13501 Community Road
• 8/25/2022: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Mossy Nissan Poway, 14100 Poway Road

San Diego

• Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours.)
• 8/21/2022: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Ashley Furniture Miramar, 7770 Miramar Road
• 8/24/2022: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Woodstock's Pizza, 6145 El Cajon Blvd.
• 8/28/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Life Bridge Church, 17645 West Bernardo Drive
• 8/30/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Miramar College - Student Affairs Building, 10440 Black Mountain Road
• 8/31/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive

San Marcos

• 8/10/2022: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court
• 8/16/2022: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Walmart, 732 Center Drive
• 8/17/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive

Valley Center

• 8/17/2022: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Valley Center Branch Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road

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.