Give Blood, Get A Gift At Red Cross Drives In December In Escondido

ESCONDIDO, CA — The American Red Cross is asking Escondido residents to give the gift of lifesaving blood or platelets this holiday season.

"From a record number of people expected to travel to seasonal illnesses and the potential for hazardous winter weather, it can be difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months," the Red Cross said in a news release.

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

Donors who give blood or platelets in December will get the following opportunities:

• Anyone who donates Dec. 1-31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV, thanks to Prime Video and the streaming platform's new film "Candy Cane Lane."
• Donors who give Dec. 1-17 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email.
• Donors who give Dec. 18, 2023 through Jan. 5, 2024 will receive a Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

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

Cardiff by the Sea

• 12/21/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 12/14/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Jersey Mike's, 7110 Avenida Encinas
• 12/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad Suite 260, 2525 El Camino Real
• 12/29/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Jersey Mike's La Costa, 7625 Via Campanile, Suite 122

Chula Vista

• 12/26/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane

Coronado

• 12/27/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., City of Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way

El Cajon

• 12/24/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Parkway Plaza, 415 Parkway Plaza

Encinitas

• 12/16/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
• 12/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Millennium Dental, 334 Encinitas Blvd.
• 12/27/2023: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive
• 12/28/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real
• 12/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 12/17/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 12/18/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 12/31/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

Fallbrook

• 12/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

Imperial Beach

• 12/13/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Novo Brazil Brewing Co, 535 Florence St.

La Jolla

• 12/12/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital Schaetzel Center, 9890 Genesee Ave.
• 12/14/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 N Torrey Pines Road
• 12/19/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive N
• 12/19/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive

National City

• 12/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Diego Academy, 2800 E 4th St.

Oceanside

• 12/14/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 12/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 12/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Oceanside Police Department, 3855 Mission Ave.
• 12/28/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 12/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 12/30/2023: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Walmart, 3405 Marron Road

Poway

• 12/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., National Powersport Auction, 12400 Stowe Drive
• 12/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Poway Branch Library, 13137 Poway Road
• 12/24/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road

Ramona

• 12/12/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Lane

San Diego

• 12/12/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/13/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive
• 12/13/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Woodstock's Pizza, 6145 El Cajon Blvd.
• 12/13/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/13/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Miramar College - Student Affairs Building, 10440 Black Mountain Road
• 12/14/2023: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/15/2023: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/16/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/17/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/19/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway
• 12/20/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/21/2023: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Scripps Mercy Hospital, 4077 Fifth Ave.
• 12/22/2023: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/22/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Target Mission Valley, 1288 Camino Del Rio N
• 12/23/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/24/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Penasquitos Library, 13330 Salmon River Road
• 12/26/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive
• 12/27/2023: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/28/2023: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/29/2023: 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/30/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 12/31/2023: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C

San Marcos

• 12/17/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hope Worldwide North County Albertsons, 1571 San Elijo Road
• 12/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drivr
• 12/26/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Walmart, 732 Center Drive

Santee

• 12/22/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Chick-fil-A, 9418 Mission Gorge Road

Vista

• 12/27/2023: 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.