SAN DIEGO — The American Red Cross is facing a critical emergency as the nation grapples with the lowest blood donation rates in two decades. The Red Cross blood supply has reached alarmingly low levels nationwide, prompting a call to action for blood and platelet donors to schedule appointments and prevent potential disruptions to lifesaving medical procedures.
Over the past 20 years, the number of individuals donating blood to the Red Cross has declined by approximately 40%. This decrease has substantial consequences, evident in the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone. Even minor disruptions to blood donations can significantly impact the availability of blood products, particularly for emergency transfusions.
The current situation has led to a faster depletion of blood products in hospitals compared to the rate of blood donations. In recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to impose restrictions on distributions of type O blood products, one of the most commonly transfused blood types, to hospitals.
Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross, emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, “Small changes in blood donor turnout can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of an emergency blood transfusion.” He further warns that challenges may escalate due to the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illnesses, exacerbating the already dire blood supply situation. Dr. Gehrie urges donors of all blood types, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets, to make donations immediately.
To schedule an appointment, individuals can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
In collaboration with the National Football League (NFL), the Red Cross is partnering during National Blood Donor Month in January to encourage individuals to donate blood or platelets. Those who donate in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in San Diego Jan. 8-31:
Cardiff by the Sea
1/24/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive
Carlsbad
1/9/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Orchid – Coastal Event Center – East Lower, 2100 Costa Del Mar Rd
1/10/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad Suite 260, 2525 El Camino Real
1/17/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Sage Creek High School, 3900 Cannon Road
1/23/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., North Coast Church Carlsbad Campus, 2310 Camino Vida Roble, #104
Chula Vista
1/9/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave
1/15/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway
1/22/2024: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
El Cajon
1/25/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main Street
2023-APL-1239
Encinitas
1/9/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion Post 416 Encinitas, 210 W F St
1/10/2024: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive
1/14/2024: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
1/22/2024: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA, 200 Saxony Road
1/26/2024: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
Escondido
1/20/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., American Legion Post 149, 230 E Park Ave
1/28/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Pkwy
1/30/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Orange Glen High School, 2200 Glenridge Road
Fallbrook
1/16/2024: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Rd
1/22/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane
La Jolla
1/10/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Residence Inn, 8901 Gilman Drive
1/29/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., UCSD, 9500 Gillman Drive
1/31/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., UCSD, 9500 Gillman Drive
La Mesa
1/8/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive
Oceanside
1/11/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, 3501 Seagate Way
1/11/2024: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
1/15/2024: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Walmart, 3405 Marron Road
1/17/2024: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro
1/25/2024: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
1/28/2024: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., New Song Community Church, 3985 Mission Ave
Poway
1/9/2024: 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road
1/13/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Community Church of Poway, 13501 Community Rd
Ramona
1/25/2024: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Lane
San Diego
Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
Visit RedCrossBlood.org for hours.
1/11/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Dylan Point Loma Apartments, 2930 Barnard St
1/12/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway
1/16/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Coast 9, 11120 Roselle Street
1/16/2024: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., National University Rancho Bernardo, 16875 W Bernardo Dr
1/17/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Pkwy
1/18/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive
1/18/2024: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant, 16480 Paseo Del Sur
1/18/2024: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., AVA Pacific Beach, 3883 Ingraham St
1/19/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Embassy Suites by Hilton, 4550 LaJolla Village
1/21/2024: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Members Church of God International, 2400 Admiral Baker Rd
1/23/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., San Ysidro High School, 5353 Airway Rd
1/24/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post 460, 7815 Armour St
1/25/2024: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., U.S. Bank Mission Hills/Hillcrest, 610 W Washington St
1/29/2024: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Black Mountain Middle School, 9353 Oviedo Street
1/30/2024: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Dr
San Marcos
1/11/2024: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Dr
1/23/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., MARC, 1045 Armorlite Drive
1/27/2024: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Walmart, 732 Center Drive