Red Cross Declares Emergency Blood Shortage: How Escondido Residents Can Help

ESCONDIDO, CA — The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage as extreme heat and end-of-summer travel plans threaten already low blood levels.

The Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25% since July 1, according to the organization, which supplies about 40% of the country's blood.

Heat affected almost 100 blood drives last month in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects donations. Summer travel and related activities were also a factor in the shortfall of more than 17,000 blood donations in July, according to the Red Cross.

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

"It's critical hospitals have both type O positive and O negative blood ready to go for patients in the most life-threatening situations," said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. "Type O is especially important for victims of accidents and other trauma who are receiving emergency treatment. Now is the time for donors of all blood types to give and ensure hospital shelves can be restocked before any impact to patient care."

The Red Cross has planned blood drives across San Diego County, including in Escondido. Donors who give blood, platelets or plasma through Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email.

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

These are the upcoming San Diego area blood drives:

Cardiff by the Sea

• 8/20/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1444 Lake Drive

Carlsbad

• 8/6/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church Carlsbad Campus, 2310 Camino Vida Roble, #104
• 8/9/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real
• 8/12/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Jersey Mike's La Costa, 7625 Via Campanile, Suite 122
• 8/16/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real
• 8/22/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Scripps Coastal Medical Center Carlsbad, 2176 Salk Ave.
• 8/23/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shoppes at Carlsbad, 2525 El Camino Real
• 8/30/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., NSDCAR, 1903 Wright Place

Chula Vista

• 8/19/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 8/20/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chula Vista High School Chula Vista, 820 4th Ave.

El Cajon

• 8/8/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Rancho San Diego Library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego
• 8/21/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Parkway Plaza, 415 Parkway Plaza

Encinitas

• 8/7/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena
• 8/15/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive

Escondido

• 8/13/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/13/2024: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Jersey Mikes, 1829 S Centre City Parkway
• 8/13/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Post 149, 230 E Park Ave.
• 8/18/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway
• 8/29/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Legion Post 149, 230 E Park Ave.
• 8/30/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North County Mall, 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway

Fallbrook

• 8/6/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road
• 8/12/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1620 S Stage Coach Lane
• 8/20/2024: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fallbrook Library, 124 South Mission Road

Imperial Beach

• 8/13/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Novo Brazil Brewing Co, 535 Florence St.

La Jolla

• 8/8/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Shiley Fitness Center, 10820 N Torrey Pines Road
• 8/29/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive

La Mesa

• 8/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd.

Oceanside

• 8/8/2024: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 8/14/2024: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 8/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Oceanside, 3501 Seagate Way
• 8/22/2024: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 8/26/2024: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro

Poway

• 8/8/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Poway Honda, 13747 Poway Road
• 8/18/2024: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road

San Diego

• Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• (See RedCrossBlood.org for hours)
• 8/6/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 4570 Executive Drive
• 8/6/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., VA San Diego Healthcare, 8875 Aero Drive
• 8/7/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carmel Mountain Ranch Library, 12095 World Trade Drive
• 8/9/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Allied Gardens Benjamin Branch Library, 5188 Zion Ave.
• 8/10/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vons Hope Worldwide Pomerado, 13255 Black Mountain Road
• 8/14/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., CAI San Diego, 9350 Waxie Way, Suite 400
• 8/19/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., 4S Ranch Branch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive
• 8/20/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., AMN Healthcare, 12400 High Bluff Drive
• 8/21/2024: 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Woodstock's Pizza, 6145 El Cajon Blvd,
• 8/21/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., BioMed Realty, 5555 Oberlin Drive
• 8/22/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Research Park at Torrey Pines, 10835 Road to the Cure
• 8/25/2024: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., City View Church, 8404 Phyllis Place
• 8/25/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Target Mission Valley, 1288 Camino Del Rio N
• 8/26/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., AVA Pacific Beach, 3883 Ingraham St.
• 8/27/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., San Diego State University Aztec Walk, 5500 Campanile Drive
• 8/28/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Miramar College in between buildings K-1 and K-2, 10440 Black Mountain Road
• 8/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church at Rancho Bernardo, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court
• 8/29/2024: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 4757 Nexus Center Drive, 4757 Nexus Center Drive

San Marcos

• 8/14/2024: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court
• 8/15/2024: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Lodge at Lake San Marcos, 1105 La Bonita Drive

Santee

• 8/16/2024: 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Santee School District, 9625 Cuyamaca St.

Solana Beach

• 8/7/2024: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave.

Vista

• 8/28/2024: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave.