Blood Donations Needed In San Diego Area: Red Cross Drives Coming Up Soon

SAN DIEGO, CA — The American Red Cross' blood supply is at historically low levels as the holiday season approaches.

Blood donations typically wane during the holiday season, but the shortage is being compounded by the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Red Cross.

People who give blood or plasma through Dec. 16 will be entered for a chance to win a private screening of "The Matrix Resurrections." The winner and 50 friends will be able to see the movie in a theater, plus the Red Cross will give the winner a $750 gift card for concessions.

Those who donate through Dec. 16 also will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card.

Here are the Red Cross blood drives coming up in the San Diego area in the next few weeks. You can search for additional Red Cross blood drives from a wider area here.

• 12/7/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hsi Fang Temple, 4536 Park Blvd (San Diego)
• 12/8/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/9/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/10/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive (La Jolla)
• 12/10/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/11/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/12/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/13/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/14/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Delta Air Lines, 3835 N Harbor Dr, Terminal 2 (San Diego)
• 12/14/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd (San Diego)
• 12/14/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/15/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital Schaetzel Center, 9890 Genesee Avenue (La Jolla)
• 12/15/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Residence Inn, 8901 Gilman Drive (La Jolla)
• 12/15/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/16/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of SD, 5055 Governor Drive (San Diego)
• 12/17/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/18/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/19/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/20/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Dr N (La Jolla)
• 12/21/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/22/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/23/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/24/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/26/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/27/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission Valley YMCA, 5505 Friars Road (San Diego)
• 12/28/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rancho Penasquitos Library, 13330 Salmon River Road (San Diego)
• 12/29/2021: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/30/2021: 10:45 a.m. - 6 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)
• 12/31/2021: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (San Diego)

Editor's note: This list was automatically generated using data compiled by the American Red Cross. The local blood drives included in the list are limited to those at the time the Red Cross data was pulled. Please visit RedCrossBlood.org for the most current listing of drives. Please report any errors or other feedback to content@patch.com. Know of another blood drive coming up in your area? You can add it to the Patch calendar using this form.

In most states, donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health; some states allow 16-year-olds to donate with parental consent. Donors 18 years old and younger need to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. Appointments can be made via the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.