Reflecting on 74 Years of Service and the Unbreakable Spirit of Our Community

San Diego Blood Bank Shares a Tribute to 9/11, Honoring Donors and Incredible Community Response

As we approach our 75th year at the San Diego Blood Bank, it’s a time for us to reflect on our legacy and the impact we’ve had on the health of our community. For nearly three-quarters of a century, we have served as a constant, a resource, for hospitals in San Diego and throughout the Southern California region. We provide a vital part of our region’s healthcare infrastructure and have become a trusted partner in emergency preparedness locally, and when needed, across the U.S. Today, we look back at our journey, our growth, and the moments that define us, especially in times of crisis, like the September 11 attacks. 

In the aftermath of 9/11, our community showed an extraordinary outpouring of generosity. San Diegans, filled with a desire to help, lined up around our donor center on Upas Street in Hillcrest They stood together, determined to make a difference and offer the greatest gifts of all—life and hope. It was in those moments of fear and uncertainty that we saw the true spirit of our community: resilient, compassionate, and ready to rally together. 

Thanks to this incredible support, and in partnership with the U.S. Navy, we were able to send 380 units of blood from San Diego to New York City—the first blood to arrive on that tragic day. 

As shared by Julie Meier Wright, a retired CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., “Like so many Americans, I felt a need to do something, anything to help my country. I decided to donate blood at the San Diego Blood Bank and arrived before 9:30 a.m. where a line of San Diegans with a similar idea already stretched around the block.” 

This sentiment echoed throughout the city, with thousands stepping up, waiting in line for hours, united by a common goal. The act of giving was a powerful expression of solidarity and a testament to the collective heart of our nation. 

Reflecting on 9/11 and the incredible community response, we are reminded of our mission to connect diverse communities to save and improve lives through blood and biotherapies. We continue to rely on our dedicated donors to ensure that blood is available when needed—not just in times of national emergencies, but every single day for patients in local hospitals.  

Every donation counts, every unit makes a difference, and every day truly is a beautiful day to save lives. 

As we look toward our 75th year, we are proud of the strides we’ve made, especially in expanding donor eligibility through advancements in science and testing. Many who wished to donate on that somber day in 2001 but were unable to do so due to restrictions can now contribute. This progress means more lives can be touched and saved, strengthening our community’s resilience. 

Our journey over the past 74 years has been fueled by the passion and generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners, and team members. We have seen the incredible impact that one person’s decision to donate can have—not just in the immediate sense, but as part of a legacy that spans generations. It’s this legacy that inspires us as we embark on our milestone 75th year.

More than 20 years have passed since our nation stood still, our attention glued to TV screens and radios. Our dedicated donors’ hopes lifted in the small but incredible act of donating blood.

In 2020, we endured again through a pandemic that tested our ability to adapt through emergency shutdowns and blood drive cancellations. San Diego Blood Bank once again joined in hearts and hands with the community to overcome the unknown and forge a new path to ensure that patients can receive the care they need and deserve. With a national crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview, and while its threat isn’t quite gone, we move forward because patients in our community need us to carry on to provide lifesaving blood. 

One way we have continued our commitment is by becoming a proud member of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC). This national network of blood centers, stands ready to provide immediate blood support in times of crisis or disaster, and in support national and local emergencies. Readiness ensures that blood is available when and where it’s needed most. Today, we are reminded of how impactful emergency preparedness can be, and it’s role in saving lives.

Join us on this Patriot Day, as we honor those we lost and remember the incredible kindness that emerged in a time of darkness. It is a day of somber reflection, but also a day to celebrate the unity and strength of our community. We will never forget the way San Diego showed up on that day—together, proudly, and stronger than ever. And as we move forward, we continue to stand ready to serve, with the support of every donor who walks through our doors. 

We remember. We honor. We continue to serve. Thank you for being a part of our legacy. Let’s continue to save lives, together.