The San Diego Blood Bank is holding two blood drives next week: one on March 30 at National City Library and one on April 3 at Sweetwater Community Church in Bonita.
Anyone 17 years and older who weighs at least 114 pounds and is in good health may be eligible to donate blood. A good meal and plenty of fluids are recommended prior to donation.
Photo identification with first and last name, and a birthdate is required. American citizenship is not required for donation.
San Diego Blood Bank must collect more than 350 units of blood each day to meet the needs of local patients who are battling life-threatening blood disorders and cancers, suffering from traumas such as burns or serious accidents, or complications from childbirth.
One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
There are a few steps to donating blood: first, answer a questionnaire about travel history, lifestyle and medications and general health. Then, donors receive a health screening to determine wellbeing and rule out any barriers to donation, using simple factors like blood pressure and body temperature.
The process of donating the blood itself takes less than ten minutes, then donors sit for about 15 minutes.
Appointments are encouraged and can be made online at mysdbb.org or by calling (619) 400-8251.
The National City library will host the March 30 drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at 1401 National City Blvd.
Sweetwater Community Church will host the April 3 drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5305 Sweetwater Road.
Donors will receive a limited-edition teeshirt while supplies last.
Call (800) 469-7322 or visit SanDiegoBloodBank.org for more information.
