SDSU, American Red Cross Team Up for Blood Drive at Viejas Arena
The annual event returns to the campus venue for 21, helping hospitals across Southern California.
For the fifth consecutive year, San Diego State University and the American Red Cross are teaming up to help hospital patients through the Aztecs for Life blood drive.
The blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Viejas Arena, and is open to the entire community. CBS8 and The CW San Diego are co-sponsors of this year’s drive.
The blood collected will help treat cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and others requiring lifesaving blood transfusions.
“Year after year, the Aztec community has answered the call to make a difference and help hospital patients in need,” said Lisa Pearson, SDSU senior associate athletic director of marketing and new media. “As we mark the fifth year of helping our community, we look forward to another impactful blood drive.”
The blood collected at this special blood drive will help ensure that the 115 Southern California hospitals the Red Cross serves — including 10 San Diego hospitals — have the blood products that patients rely on.
Appointments are required and 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.”
Blood drives are an essential service providing a medical necessity to hospital patients. Donors of all blood types — especially type O — are urged to help overcome an emergency blood shortage.
As a thank-you, those who come to donate blood will receive a T-shirt and other giveaways, including a free meal gift card, courtesy of Raising Cane's, and a Woodstock's Pizza free slice coupon, while supplies last.
Blood drive safety.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. This allows donors to complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification. Blood donors must be in good general health and feeling well, at least 17 years old in California (16 years old with parental consent); and weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional information on blood donor eligibility is at RedCrossBlood.org.
