Celebrating National Blood Donor Month and 75 Years of Saving Lives
January is National Blood Donor Month—a time to honor the generosity of donors like you who ensure patients have access to the blood they need to live and thrive. This year, the message hits closer to home than ever. With recent wildfires and severe weather impacting blood supplies across the nation, we are reminded how critical it is to have a strong and reliable blood supply in times of need.
This year also marks a milestone in San Diego Blood Bank’s history—75 years of saving lives across Southern California. As we celebrate this legacy, we’re calling on our community of dedicated donors to help meet the urgent needs of patients here in San Diego and beyond.
Your commitment makes all the difference. Together, we can ensure that no matter what’s happening in the world, patients never have to wait for the transfusions they need.
Thank you for being the heart of our mission.
Blood Supply Needs
Blood Type A, B, and O are most needed
All blood types are URGENTLY needed. We urge eligible donors to schedule your next donation today! Walk-ins are welcome.
News
Clairemont Mesa Location Celebrates Grand Opening, Special Gift for Clairemont Donors
On Jan 15, our community gathered for an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony. To celebrate this amazing milestone, we’re offering a special gift to blood donors who donate at Clairemont through the end of January.
Bloodmobile Campaigns Hits Milestone—93% Funded
Thank you, financial supporters!
Corporate sponsors and generous individual financial donors have helped us reach $701,117.91 raised for the purchase of a new bloodmobile.
This vital resource will ensure more lives will be saved over its 15-20 years out in the community.
We’re so close to our $750K goal! There’s still time to make a charitable donation to support our fundraising campaign.
Together We Thrive: Impact Report 23-24
Take a look at our wonderful year of helping the community. Click the document to view!
Blood Donors Are Heroes
San Diego Blood Bank received a proclamation from Mayor Todd Gloria’s office recognizing January 2025 as National Blood Donor Month! Celebrate with us by donating blood and thanking a blood donor you know for their gifts.
Thank you to SDCCU for hosting a multi-location blood drive to support National Blood Donor Month on January 9!
A Homerun at Petco Park
The San Diego Padres hosted the 3rd Annual Padres Winter Blood Drive on January 21, collecting more than 400 pints of blood! Donors were rewarded with T-shirts, Padres goodies, and for some lucky fans, high-fives from the Swinging’ Friar, during a beautiful, sunny day in Petco Park.
Because of community partners, we can ensure So Cal has a safe and robust blood supply. We’re grateful for their support in saving lives.
Thank you to the San Diego International Auto Show for partnering with us for a 4-day blood drive during this year’s event December 28-31 that collected 151 pints of blood for the community! Donors received exclusive fun perks including a Fueled By Compassion T-shirt, 40 oz. Travel Mug, and two tickets to the 2025 SD Int’l Auto Show!
Broken Yolk Cafe partnered with San Diego Blood Bank for the 8th consecutive year during the holidays to encourage blood donation in our community. The promotion ran from November 25 – December 15, 2024, at all San Diego Blood Bank donor centers or mobile blood drive locations. All donors received a voucher for a free entrée (up to $18 value) to dine-in at Broken Yolk Cafe. Thank you, Broken Yolk!
Since 2017, the Broken Yolk Cafe’s sponsored blood drives, and promotions have collected 49,976 lifesaving units of blood, equating to nearly 150,000 Southern California hospital patient lives saved.
Last Chance
Mark Your Calendar
EVENT: FEBRUARY 14
February is Heart Health Month & Love Your Heart! Did you know that hypertension often has no signs or symptoms and can be a sign of other more serious health problems?
Know Your Numbers: Get a FREE blood pressure screening with San Diego Blood Bank on Friday, February 14, 2025, at any donor center near you for donors and guests!
PROMOTION: FEBRUARY - MARCH
SoCal Blood Bank Exclusive: Give Blood and Get Free Single-Day Ticket to the Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club, March 19 – 23, 2025
How to score your complimentary ticket to the Hoag Classic?
Donate blood at:
- So Cal Blood Bank Irvine Business District Donor Center Feb 1 – 28, 2025
- Any of the 25+ So Cal Blood Bank community blood drives in OC and LA Feb 1 – Mar 19, 2025.
Donors at these locations will receive a voucher for one (1) complimentary single-day ticket ($40 value, redeemable online) to the Hoag Classic Golf Tournament, the only OC event in the PGA Tour: Champions.
Stay tuned for the list of participating blood drives and official dates.
Guardians Circle News
We currently have over 12,400 members who are committed to guarding and protecting our community. Several times a year Guardians get to choose rewards from a variety of e-gift codes, branded items, or to donate back towards our mission to save lives.
Already a Guardian? Check your email inbox by the end of the month to redeem your Choice Rewards!
If you are not yet a Guardian, please join our Guardians Circle this week to participate in the upcoming Choice Rewards selection and monthly raffle to win up to a $500 e-gift code!
Learn about our donor programs and start making a bigger impact today!
Featured Story: Jeff Mandel
“When I get an email from the blood bank saying my blood was delivered to a hospital for a patient, it renews my drive for donating...it’s a reminder that my donation is making a real difference.”
Congratulations to Jeff! In December, he reached his incredible 30-gallon milestone at East County Donor Center and Carly, a very special blood recipient and friend, was there to join in on the celebration.
Jeff’s journey as a blood donor began in 1991 when he discovered he was a perfect blood match for his 6-year-old neighbor, Carly, who had been born with a hole in her heart. After a successful surgery, Carly has been able to live a full life, thanks in no small part to Jeff’s generosity.
Carly reflected on Jeff’s life-changing gift, “I’m so honored to watch Jeff reach his 30th gallon,” she says. “He’s become like a second father to me, and the bond we share is something I don’t have with anyone else.”
Carly’s gratitude underscores the incredible ripple effect of Jeff’s decision to donate blood—a choice that saved her life and has continued to inspire him to give and give often—for decades.
CONTENT UPDATED: APRIL 29, 2025—This newsletter content was updated with corrections on 4/29/2025: Previously Jeff Mandel’s name was incorrectly listed in some areas as Jay. We sincerely apologize for this error.
January Newsletter 2025
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