Hundreds of employees will take part in the lifesaving 42nd annual County Blood Drive this April. The month-long event kicked off Wednesday outside the downtown County Administration Center in front of the San Diego Blood Bank’s mobile donation center.
It is the third longest running blood drive in the San Diego Blood Bank’s history and helps supply the approximately 350 pints of blood local hospitals need each day. One in seven people entering a hospital need blood.
“Every day, hospitals in our region rely on a steady supply of blood to perform lifesaving care, yet the need consistently outpaces the supply,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “By donating, County employees are supporting residents and visitors who may be undergoing cancer treatments, surgeries, deliveries, or may need blood for other reasons.”
A single donation can help save up to three lives, and all blood types are needed. Type O blood remains in especially high demand. O positive is the most common and O negative blood is the universal donor.
“About 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood but only about 3% donate each year,” said Chair Pro Tempore Paloma Aguirre. “We can do better. The County’s drive is making a difference. To date we have impacted more than 60,000 lives, and by association those of their loved ones.”
The County also joined the Community Guardians Program, a network of organizations that advocate for blood donation and help strengthen the region’s blood supply.
Currently, the San Diego Blood Bank also has a Guardians Circle program and more than 13,400 members donate on average four times a year—double the national average. Residents can join by pledging to donate regularly through the San Diego Blood Bank’s website.
The County’s annual blood drive is among the largest collection events organized by the San Diego Blood Bank. Both County and non-County employees are welcome to sign up and donate.