Where To Donate Blood In Santee Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Kristina Houck
Updated ·9 min read

SANTEE, CA — The U.S. blood supply is facing a unique and unprecedented shortage in the wake of the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic. Donations from healthy people in Santee and other communities are needed now more than ever to avoid another health care crisis, according to two of the nation's leading blood banks.

Why is it unprecedented? Unlike most crises, which tend to impact the blood supply in specific cities or regions, the coronavirus outbreak is affecting the supply for the entire nation.

In March, the American Red Cross said more than 2,500 blood drives were canceled nationwide because of concerns about gathering in groups at workplaces, colleges and schools. The organization also estimates the cancellations resulted in 86,000 fewer blood donations.

Despite fear over donating blood amid the coronavirus pandemic, it remains safe to do so, according to America's Blood Centers, whose facilities — in addition to those operated by the Red Cross — are implementing increased social distancing measures and infection control protocols.

Here's where you can schedule an appointment to donate blood in San Diego County, according to America's Blood Centers:

These are the blood drives currently scheduled through May 31 in San Diego County, according to the American Red Cross:

Carlsbad

  • Labyrinth, Inc.: 1959 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 300, Carlsbad, CA 92011

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13

  • Bitchin' Sauce: 6211 Yarrow Drive, Suite C, Carlsbad, CA 92011

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 20

Chula Vista

  • Eastlake Community Church: 2355 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91914

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8

  • School of Rock Otay Ranch: 2015 Birch Road,#1107,Chula Vista, CA 91915

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13

  • Chula Vista Center: 555 Broadway,Suite 138,Chula Vista, CA 91910

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 17

  • Chula Vista Center: 555 Broadway, Suite 138, Chula Vista, CA 91910

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 22

  • Chula Vista South Bay Service Center: 311 Del Mar Ave.,Chula Vista, CA 91910

  • The Cheesecake Factory: 2015 Birch Road,Chula Vista, CA 91915

  • Chula Vista South Bay Service Center: 311 Del Mar Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910

    • 1-7 p.m. May 26

  • PIMA Medical Institute: 780 Bay BlvdChula Vista, CA 91910

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 29

Coronado

  • City of Coronado Community Center: 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9

El Cajon

  • Rock Church East County: 808 Jackman St., El Cajon, CA 92020

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16

Encinitas

  • San Dieguito United Methodist Church: 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, CA 92024

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21

  • Encinitas Library: 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 12

Escondido

  • City of Escondido: 201 N. BroadwayEscondido, CA 92025

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21

  • Escondido Police Department: 1163 N. Centre City Parkway,Escondido, CA 92026

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30

  • Escondido East Valley Community: 2245 East Valley Parkway,Escondido, CA 92027

    • 1-7 p.m. May 4

  • Escondido East Valley Community Center: 2245 East Valley Parkway,Escondido, CA 92027

    • 1-7 p.m. May 7

  • Escondido East Valley Community: 2245 East Valley Parkway,Escondido, CA 92027

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9

  • St. Mary Catholic Church: 1170 South Broadway,Escondido, CA 92025

    • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 17

  • Escondido East Valley Community: 2245 East Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027

Fallbrook

  • Christ the King Lutheran Church: 1620 S Stage Coach Lane,Fallbrook, CA 92028

  • Fallbrook Library: 124 South Mission Road,Fallbrook, CA 92028

    • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 12

Imperial Beach

  • Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center: 455 Palm Ave.,Imperial Beach, CA 91932

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15

  • Imperial Beach Neighborhood Center: 455 Palm Ave., Imperial Beach, CA 91932

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29

  • Mar Vista High School: 505 Elm Ave.,Imperial Beach, CA 91932

    • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 14

  • St. James Lutheran Church: 866 Imperial Beach Blvd.,Imperial Beach, CA 91932

    • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31

La Jolla

  • Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla: 9888 Genesee Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037

    • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23

  • UC Thorton Hospital: 9300 Campus Point Drive,La Jolla, CA 92037

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24

  • Lawrence Family JCC Jacobs Family Campus: 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24

Oceanside

  • Oceanside First Presbyterian Church: 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8

  • Oceanside Masonic Center: 511 Eucalyptus,Oceanside, CA 92054

    • 1-7 p.m. April 9

  • Oceanside Masonic Center: 511 Eucalyptus, Oceanside, CA 92054

    • 1-7 p.m. April 23

  • Walmart: 705 College Blvd.,Oceanside, CA 92057

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2

  • Oceanside Masonic Center: 511 Eucalyptus, Oceanside, CA 92054

    • 1-7 p.m. May 7

  • YMCA: 4701 Mesa Drive, Oceanside, CA 92056

    • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7

  • Walmart: 705 College Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92057

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17

  • El Camino High School: 400 Rancho Del Oro,Oceanside, CA 92057

    • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21

  • St. Thomas More Catholic Church: 1450 S. Melrose Drive,Oceanside, CA 92056

    • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 24

  • Oceanside Masonic Center: 511 Eucalyptus, Oceanside, CA 92054

    • 1-7 p.m. May 28

  • Capella at Rancho del Oro: 4795 Frazee Road,Oceanside, CA 92057

    • noon to 6 p.m. May 28

  • Walmart: 705 College Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92057

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31

Poway

  • St. Bartholomews Episcopal Church: 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27

San Diego

  • Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C, San Diego, CA 92123

  • Rock Church City Heights: 4001 El Cajon Blvd.,San Diego, CA 92105

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 9

  • Heroes Blood Drive at Pechanga Arena: 3500 Sports Arena Blvd.,San Diego, CA 92110

    • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 14

  • Rock Church Point Loma: 2277 Rosecrans St.,San Diego, CA 92106

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20

  • Mission Valley YMCA: 5505 Friars Road, San Diego, CA 92110

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21

  • Christ United Methodist Ministry Center: 3295 Meade Ave.,San Diego, CA 92116

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22

  • City View Church: 8404 Phyllis Place,San Diego, CA 92123

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28

  • FICO 4th Floor Lunch Room: 3661 Valley CenterSan Diego, CA 92130

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 29

  • City View Church: 8404 Phyllis Place, San Diego, CA 92123

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 13

  • San Ysidro High School: 5353 Airway RoadSan Diego, CA 92154

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 19

  • Scripps IS: 8925 Rehco Road,San Diego, CA 92121

    • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19

  • San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts: 2425 Dusk Drive,San Diego, CA 92139

    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 27

San Marcos

  • Rock Church: 1370 W San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos, CA 92078

  • The Lodge at Lake San Marcos: 1105 La Bonita Drive,San Marcos, CA 92078

    • 1:30-7:30 p.m. May 26

Santee

  • Santee United Methodist Church: 8964 Magnolia Ave., Santee, CA 92071

    • 1-7 p.m. May 4

  • Health Occupations Center: 9368 Oakbourne Road, Santee, CA 92071

    • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5

Solana Beach

  • Santa Fe Christian Schools: 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Spring Valley

  • Mount Miguel High School: 1800 Sweetwater Road, Spring Valley, CA 91977

    • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 20

Here's what else we know about donating blood in the time of COVID-19, according to the Red Cross and America's Blood Centers:

  • Blood donation occurs in a controlled environment with trained staff, and is recognized as an essential activity amid stay-at-home orders.

  • Blood donation is not considered a mass gathering or a social event, but donors are asked to make appointments to donate blood in advance to assist with social distancing efforts at blood centers.

  • At America's Blood Centers, each donor goes through a mini physical that includes a temperature check. Those donating at a Red Cross event are also checked for increased temperature.

  • There is no known risk of transmitting the coronavirus through blood transfusion, even if individuals are asymptomatic.

  • You cannot get tested for the coronavirus at a blood donation center.

  • You can donate blood every eight weeks (or 56 days) and apheresis platelets every seven days up to 24 times per year.

America's Blood Centers encourages all healthy and eligible people who are feeling well to consider donating blood. Do not donate blood if you are feeling ill, have the coronavirus or have been in contact with anyone who may potentially have the coronavirus.

The Red Cross also said you should not donate within 28 days of traveling to China, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Iran, Italy and South Korea.

If you have questions about whether you are eligible to donate, the best thing to do is contact your local blood center.

This article originally appeared on the Santee Patch