Red Cross Declares Blood Shortage: How Escondido Residents Can Help

ESCONDIDO, CA — The American Red Cross has declared a national blood shortage, following a summer of declining donations and "climate-driven disasters" that have strained the country's blood supply.

The country's blood supply blood has dropped to "critically low levels" — nearly 25 percent since early August, according to the nonprofit organization, which provides about 40 percent of the nation's blood.

Escondido residents can help. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, according to the Red Cross. There is an emergency need for platelet donors and type O donors.

"When (Hurricane) Idalia slammed into the Southeast — leading to widespread power outages, travel hazards and flooding — the storm also forced the cancellation of over a dozen blood drives and caused hundreds of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected," a Red Cross news release said. "This compounded a shortfall of about 30,000 donations in August. Right now, blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations coming in."

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

Anyone who donates through Sept. 18 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors in September will also receive an email coupon for a free haircut from Sport Clips. Plus, they will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience.

See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

Cardiff by the Sea

• 9/27/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 9/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Bergelectric Corp, 3182 Lionshead Ave.
• 9/28/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real

Chula Vista

• 9/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chula Vista High School, 820 4th Ave.
• 9/25/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 9/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 2355 Otay Lakes Road

Coronado

• 9/13/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., City of Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way

Encinitas

• 9/16/2023: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., UC San Diego North County Cancer Services, 1200 Garden View Road
• 9/22/2023: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Best Buy, 1046 N. El Camino Real

Escondido

• 9/17/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 9/20/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Escondido Adult School, 220 W. Crest Ave.
• 9/23/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community Center, 2245 East Valley Parkway

Fallbrook

• 9/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 9/12/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital Schaetzel Center, 9890 Genesee Ave.
• 9/13/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Scripps Memorial Hospital Schaetzel Center, 9890 Genesee Ave.
• 9/15/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., UC Thorton Hospital, 9300 Campus Point Drive

La Mesa

• 9/25/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive

Oceanside

• 9/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Oceanside Police Department, 3855 Mission Ave.
• 9/14/2023: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 9/14/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Banfield Pet Hospital South Oceanside, 3841 Plaza Drive, Suite 902
• 9/14/2023: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 9/14/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., GILEAD and Kite, 4100 Avenida De La Plata, Building 600
• 9/28/2023: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 9/18/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road
• 9/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Poway Branch Library, 13137 Poway Road

Ramona

• 9/19/2023: 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)
• 9/11/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission Valley YMCA, 5505 Friars Road
• 9/19/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, 910 Broadway Circle
• 9/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive
• 9/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway
• 9/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Westview High School, 13500 Camino Del Sur
• 9/13/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Mor Furniture For Less, 6965 Consolidated Way
• 9/19/2023: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., KIPJ Garden of the Sky Circle Drive, 5998 Alcala Park Way
• 9/30/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Civita Park, 7960 Civita Blvd.

San Marcos

• 9/13/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 9/24/2023: 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Hope Worldwide North County Albertsons, 1571 San Elijo Road
• 9/26/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Palomar College, 1140 West Mission Road
• 9/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Palomar College, 1140 West Mission Road

Santee

• 9/18/2023: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Santee United Methodist Church, 8964 Magnolia Ave.
• 9/28/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Chick Fil A, 9418 Mission Gorge Road

Vista

• 9/29/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Guajome Park Academy, 2000 N 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.