Get A $20 Gift Card For Donating Blood In Escondido

ESCONDIDO, CA — Thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help strengthen the American Red Cross blood supply amid a national blood shortage.

More donations are needed, however, and the Red Cross is urging donors to give blood and platelets. The organization supplies about 40% of the nation's blood.

"As February continues, so does the potential for additional weather systems to disrupt blood drives and the ability to provide critical blood products to hospitals," the Red Cross said in a news release. "While thousands of donors have answered the call to donate in recent weeks to combat a significant drop in the blood supply, more donors are needed now to ensure the blood supply remains ready for those in need of lifesaving medical procedures."

Escondido residents can help. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially type O blood donors and platelet donors, according to the Red Cross.

The Red Cross has planned blood drives across San Diego County, including in Escondido.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets in February will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email.

See a list of upcoming San Diego area blood drives below.

Cardiff by the Sea

• 2/15/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 2/16/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad Suite 260, 2525 El Camino Real
• 2/22/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Bergelectric Corp, 3182 Lionshead Ave.

Chula Vista

• 2/19/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 2/28/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chula Vista High School Chula Vista, 820 4th Ave.

El Cajon

• 2/26/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Country Hills Post Acute, 1580 Broadway

Encinitas

• 2/21/2024: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

• 2/17/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Post 149, 230 E Park Ave.
• 2/25/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

Fallbrook

• 2/26/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 2/15/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 North Torrey Pines Road

La Mesa

• 2/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd.

National City

• 2/19/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Community Center, 140 East 12th St.

Oceanside

• 2/22/2024: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 2/24/2024: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Walmart, 3405 Marron Road
• 2/25/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 705 College Blvd.

Ramona

• 2/21/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Lane

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours.)
• 2/14/2024: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Kyle Kraska's Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive at the Handlery Hotel San Diego, 950 Hotel Circle North
• 2/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Scripps Cottage, 5500 Campanile Drive
• 2/18/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Pura Vida at Westfield UTC, 4301 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 1000
• 2/18/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Target Mission Valley, 1288 Camino Del Rio North
• 2/26/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Drive
• 2/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Feeding San Diego, 9477 Waples St., Suite 100
• 2/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 4570 Executive Drive
• 2/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court

San Marcos

• 2/15/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court
• 2/19/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Walmart, 732 Center Drive
• 2/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 2/27/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Palomar College, 1140 West Mission Road
• 2/28/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Palomar College, 1140 West Mission Road
• 2/28/2024: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Charter Communications, 10450 Pacific Center Court
• 2/29/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., California State University San Marcos Kellogg Plaza, 333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road

Vista

• 2/23/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Guajome Park Academy, 2000 North Santa Fe

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.