Red Cross and SDSU Team up for Annual Blood Drive

San Diego State University and the American Red Cross are partnering up to host the second annual Aztecs for Life Blood Drive on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Viejas Arena. With the goal of collecting 400 pints of blood, multiple campus groups and associations have joined together to help organize the drive, recruit donors and volunteer time for the 10-hour blood drive. Associated Students, Student Housing, Arts Alive, Marching Aztecs and Pep Band, Athletics, and SDSU Alumni are among the organizations participating.  

Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed this fall after hurricanes Michael and Florence forced the cancellation of about 200 blood drives, causing approximately 7,000 units of blood and platelets to go uncollected.  

"The Aztec community is stepping up once again to help," said Steve Schnall, SDSU executive associate athletic director. "Students, faculty and alumni, and members of the surrounding community are invited to roll up a sleeve, donate blood, and give more life to patients in need."  

The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Patients rely on volunteer donors as the only source of blood for those in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. Blood collected at this drive can help ensure cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and others have the blood products they need.  

To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code: aztecs.  

As a thank-you, those who donate blood will receive a T-shirt and other great giveaways, while supplies last. Various entertainment will be provided by the Marching Aztecs, Pep Band and Arts Alive during the blood drive.  

How to donate blood

A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age 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 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.  

Blood 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. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.  

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCrossBlood.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.