Donate Blood In San Diego County To Help Coronavirus Patients

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — The American Red Cross needs blood donations this fall to maintain the blood supply amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — and to potentially help coronavirus patients.

Plasma from whole blood donations made through the Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus.

In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, who could only give at one of roughly 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Now, whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center could be helpful in this effort, according to the Red Cross.

"Donations that come back positive for COVID-19 antibodies now undergo secondary testing to confirm antibody results, and that enables the Red Cross to then potentially use the plasma from those donations for COVID-19 patients," said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with Red Cross Biomedical Services.

"With approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them."

Blood drives are being held across San Diego County. See a list of upcoming blood drives below.

To thank donors, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com gift card to five winners who donate blood in October. Additionally, donors who give by the end of September will receive a free Sports Clips haircut coupon.

Upcoming blood drives in San Diego County

Carlsbad

• 9/27/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Carlsbad Flower Fields, 5705 Paseo Del Norte
• 10/9/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., North Coast Church Carlsbad Campus, 2310 Camino Vida Roble, #104

Chula Vista

• 9/25/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.
• 9/28/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chula Vista Elks Lodge, 901 Elks Lane
• 10/3/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.
• 10/7/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eastlake Community Church, 990 Lane Ave.
• 10/12/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., City of Chula Vista hosted at Old Sears Building, 565 Broadway Ave.

Coronado

• 9/30/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way

El Cajon

• 10/1/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church East County, 808 Jackman St.
• 10/13/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., East County Transitional Living Center, 1527 E Main St.

Encinitas

• 10/15/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena

Escondido

• 9/28/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City of Escondido, 201 N. Broadway
• 9/29/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido Police Department, 1163 N. Centre City Parkway
• 10/1/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 10/10/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Escondido East Valley Community, 2245 East Valley Parkway
• 10/12/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Senator Brian Jones and Escondido Chamber of Commerce, 720 N Broadway

La Jolla

• 10/14/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Torrey Pines Church, 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive N

La Mesa

• 10/10/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Albertsons, 8920 Fletcher Parkway

Lakeside

• 9/26/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., VFW, VFW 5867, 12650 Lindo Lane

Oceanside

• 9/24/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus
• 9/27/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 705 College Blvd.
• 9/29/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 10/4/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Walmart, 705 College Blvd.
• 10/7/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside First Presbyterian Church, 2001 El Camino Real
• 10/8/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Oceanside Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus

Poway

• 10/7/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Twin Peaks Middle School, 14640 Tierra Bonita Road
• 10/8/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Target, 14823 Pomerado Road
• 10/12/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Perry Ford of Poway, 12740 Poway Road
• 10/13/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Bartholomews Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road

Ramona

• 10/13/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Lane

Rancho Santa Fe

• 10/13/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bay Club Coaching Corps, 15150 San Dieguito Road

San Diego

• 9/23/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Grace City / First Baptist Church of SD, 5055 Governor Drive
• 9/23/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/24/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/25/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/26/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/27/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/28/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/29/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., South Hills Church, 6090 Banbury St.
• 9/29/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 9/30/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., American Red Cross Chapter Main Building, 3950 Calle Fortunada
• 9/30/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Overlook at Bernardo Heights, 15909 Avenida Venusto
• 9/30/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/1/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Black Mountain Middle School, 9291 Oviedo St.
• 10/1/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/2/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/3/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/4/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/5/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/6/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Rock Church City Heights, 4001 El Cajon Blvd.
• 10/6/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/7/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/8/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/9/2020: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/10/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/11/2020: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/12/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/13/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/14/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Logan Temple A.M.E Zion Church, 302 S 32nd St.
• 10/14/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Woodstock's Pizza, 6145 El Cajon Blvd.
• 10/14/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C
• 10/15/2020: 10:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center, 4229 Ponderosa Ave., Suite C

San Marcos

• 9/25/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.
• 9/30/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., MARC, 1045 Armorlite Drive
• 10/5/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rock Church, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd.

Santee

• 10/5/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Santee United Methodist Church, 8964 Magnolia Ave.

Valley Center

• 10/15/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Valley Center Business Association and Senator Brian Jones, 29105 Valley Center Road

Vista

• 9/24/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., North Coast Church, 2405 North Santa Fe Ave.

What to know about giving blood

All blood types are needed. Interested in donating? 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.

Donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive.