SDSU and Red Cross Team up to Help Save Lives
The campus community is urged to roll up its sleeves for the annual Aztecs for Life Blood Drive.
For the third consecutive year, San Diego State University and the American Red Cross are teaming up to save lives through the Aztecs for Life blood drive. The San Diego community is invited to join the SDSU campus community on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Viejas Arena.
Blood collected at this drive will help ensure cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and others have the blood products they need.
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, Housing, Cheer and Dance, Athletics and SDSU Alumni are among the organizations participating.
“By donating their time and sharing their good health, the Aztec community continues to make a difference for hospital patients and their families,” said Steve Schnall, SDSU executive associate athletic director. “Students, faculty, staff, and the community are invited to roll up a sleeve and help the Red Cross make sure blood is available for patients in need. We’re looking forward to another lifesaving event this year.”
The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Patients rely on volunteer donors as the only source of blood for those in need of lifesaving blood transfusions.
Aztecs for Life Blood Drive Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19 Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Location: Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive
Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, and using sponsor code aztecs.
Those who come to donate blood will receive a T-shirt and other great give-aways, including coupons to Eureka!, Jersey Mike's, and Woodstock's, while supplies last. In addition, the Red Cross is thanking those who come to give Nov. 18-Dec. 18 with a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal).
How to donate blood
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet 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.
