Donors Needed In Escondido To Prevent Red Cross Blood Shortage

ESCONDIDO, CA — Celebrate a summer of sharks and help shore up the national blood supply by donating blood in Escondido in July through the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross has collected about 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed over the last two months, according to the nonprofit organization, which supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood. To encourage donations, the Red Cross has teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery for the 35th anniversary of Shark Week and the theatrical release of "Meg 2: The Trench."

"Donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to avoid a looming blood shortage," a Red Cross news release said. "In thanks for helping, the Red Cross is offering several incentives to donors who come out to give blood or platelets in the coming weeks."

Anyone who donates July 12 through Aug. 12 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Anyone who donates July 17-31 will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last.

Additionally, anyone who donates through July 16 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

Red Cross blood drives are scheduled across the county, including in Escondido. See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

Cardiff

• 7/18/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 7/24/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real
• 7/26/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., NSDCAR, 1903 Wright Place

Chula Vista

• 7/16/2023: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive. Donors will receive free admission to the aquarium.
• 7/17/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 7/27/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

Coronado

• 7/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa, 2000 2nd St.

El Cajon

• 7/15/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Harley-Davidson, 621 El Cajon Blvd.

Encinitas

• 7/25/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 7/16/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Universal Church, 300 N Broadway
• 7/22/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 7/23/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Mary Catholic Church, 1170 South Broadway
• 7/30/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

Fallbrook

• 7/11/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road
• 7/19/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

Imperial Beach

• 7/29/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Calvary Imperial Beach Church, 485 Imperial Beach Blvd.

La Jolla

• 7/13/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty Center of Novel Therapeutics, 9310 Athena Circle
• 7/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital Schaetzel Center, 9890 Genesee Ave.

National City

• 7/13/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Pasha + Volkswagen National City, 1309 Bay Marina Drive
• 7/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Community Center, 140 E 12th St.

Oceanside

• 7/13/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/13/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/27/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 7/27/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 7/31/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road

Ramona

• 7/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 7/11/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Research Park at Torrey Pines, 10835 Road to the Cure
• 7/12/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd.
• 7/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mira Mesa Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11023 Pegasus Ave.
• 7/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway
• 7/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The US Grant, 326 Broadway
• 7/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kilroy Del Mar, 12770 El Camino Real
• 7/25/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Suite 100
• 7/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty John Hopkins, 10240 Science Center Drive
• 7/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Legion Post 460, 7815 Armour St.
• 7/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hsi Fang Temple, 4536 Park Blvd.
• 7/28/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway
• 7/31/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty at Science Center, 10240 Science Center Drive

San Marcos

• 7/11/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., MARC, 1045 Armorlite Drive
• 7/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 7/21/2023: 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Walmart, 732 Center Drive
• 7/30/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hope Worldwide North County Albertsons, 1571 San Elijo Road

Santee

• 7/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Civic Center, 10601 Magnolia Ave.

Vista

• 7/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave.

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.