Red Cross Emergency Blood Shortage: How Escondido Residents Can Help

ESCONDIDO, CA — The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to "critically low levels" across the country. There was a nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in Red Cross blood donations between Christmas and New Year's Day alone, according to the nonprofit organization, which provides about 40 percent of the nation's blood.

"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," said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. "More challenges may lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation."

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

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

Anyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

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

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

• 1/17/2024: 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

• 1/15/2024: 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 St.

Encinitas

• 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 Parkway
• 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 Road
• 1/22/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane

La Jolla

• 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

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

• 1/13/2024: 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 St.
• 1/16/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., National University Rancho Bernardo, 16875 W Bernardo Drive
• 1/17/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway
• 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 La Jolla Village
• 1/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Members Church of God International, 2400 Admiral Baker Road
• 1/23/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., San Ysidro High School, 5353 Airway Road
• 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 St.
• 1/30/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Drive

San Marcos

• 1/11/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive
• 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

What To Know About Giving Blood

All blood types are needed. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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.