One in seven people hospitalized need blood and blood banks supplying those hospitals often face shortages.
To help meet the community’s critical need for donations, the County of San Diego has hosted an annual springtime blood drive for the past 41 years, impacting more than 60,000 lives.
The month-long event kicked off Tuesday outside the downtown County Administration Center with the San Diego Blood Bank’s mobile donation center as a backdrop.
County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Tuteur described the annual drive’s importance.
“As a family physician, I have seen many lives saved with blood transfusions— including babies in the NICU, trauma victims and those being treated for cancer,” said Dr. Tuteur. “I have witnessed how donated blood saves lives and believe the act of donating is one of the greatest gifts you can give.”
Only 3% of people in the United States donate blood each year, according to America’s Blood Centers, which leads to ongoing shortages.
The County works with the San Diego Blood Bank, a Live Well San Diego partner, to create a year-round supply of donated blood through the Community Guardians Program.
The Guardians program includes about a dozen organizations that advocate for blood donations and engage diverse audiences across San Diego. In the past nine months, its members reached out to over 110,000 people through social media, websites, email and other methods.
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.
Blood Drives at County of San Diego Locations by Region
Below is a list of locations, organized by region to book an appointment:
Central
HCDS – HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 9 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Parked Curbside, 3989 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
COUNTY OPERATIONS CENTER
THURS, APR 10 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 29 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | BOOK NOW
Main Entrance Cul de Sac, 5560 Overland Ave., San Diego, CA 92123
DEPARTMENT OF CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING | BOOK NOW
TUE, APR 15 | 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Parking Lot, 8911 Balboa Ave., San Diego, CA 9212
SHERIFF HEADQUARTERS | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 16 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 9621 Ridgehaven, San Diego, CA 92123
SEVILLE PLAZA | BOOK NOW
THUR, APR 17 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Visitor Parking Lot, 5469 Kearny Villa Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 22 | 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Parking Lot, 2901 Meadow Lark Dr., San Diego, CA 92123
NORTH CENTRAL FRC | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 22 | 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Parking Lot, 5055 Ruffin Rd., San Diego, CA 92123
Downtown
SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Parked in front of Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
East County
EAST PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 8 | 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Parking Lot, 367 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
LAKESIDE LIBRARY| BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 8 | 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. | 9839 Vine St, Lakeside, CA 92040
JULIAN LIBRARY | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 9 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. | 1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
LEMON GROVE FRC | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 16 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 7065 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945
EDGEMOOR HOSPITAL | BOOK NOW
THUR, APR 17 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 655 Park Center Dr., Santee, CA 92071
North County
FALLBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER | BOOK NOW
THURSDAY, APR 3 | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 pm | Parking Lot, 341 Heald Ln., Fallbrook, CA 92028
NORTH COASTAL FRC | BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 4 | 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | 3708 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056
NORTH INLAND LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
THURS, APR 17 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Parking Lot, 649 W. Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
South County
SOUTH REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 9 | 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Parking Lot, 690 Oxford St., Chula Vista, CA 91911
SOUTH REGION LIVE WELL CENTER | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 16 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 401 Mile of Cars Way, National City, CA ,91950
PROBATION – SOUTH BAY REGION | BOOK NOW
WED, APR 16 | 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 1095 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista, CA 91911
SELWC – SOUTHEASTERN LIVE WELL CENTER| BOOK NOW
FRI, APR 18 | 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 5101 Market Street, San Diego, CA, 92114
SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT – SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION | BOOK NOW
TUES, APR 22 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Parking Lot, 500 Third Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
