The American Red Cross and San Diego Blood Bank issued
pleas today for blood donors to help those injured in the wildfires and to
maintain an adequate supply of blood for future needs.
The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives tomorrow at two wildfire
emergency evacuation sites, Qualcomm Stadium and the Del Mar Fairgrounds, officials said.
Both drives will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m., according to
blood bank spokeswoman Lynn Stedd.
Subway will provide food for donors at Qualcomm Stadium.
Blood donors can check the blood bank's Web site --
www.SanDiegoBloodBank.org -- to find other locations where they can donate blood this week, Stedd said.
The American Red Cross sought blood donors from central San Diego
because some blood drives were canceled in the wildfire areas.
``Blood is needed for hospital patients throughout San Diego County,
including those who have suffered burns in the fires,'' the Red Cross said.
Officials said cancellation of the blood drives resulted in the loss of
nearly 200 units of blood.
Donors can make appointments by calling (800) GIVE-LIFE. A Spanish
language phone line is available at (800) POR-VIDA. The Red Cross blood center at 7675 Mesa College Drive in the Kearny Mesa area will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
“Any healthy person age 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and
in good health, may be able to donate blood,'' the Red Cross said.
Donors are urged to have a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before
giving blood, officials said.
