Every day, we go about our lives not thinking about blood—until it is needed.
In the blink of an eye, a car crash, a fall, or an act of violence can shatter normalcy, and suddenly, blood becomes the most critical medicine there is.
At San Diego Blood Bank, we call it the safety net for the unexpected. It’s the invisible thread that links strangers—donors and recipients—in moments of life-or-death urgency. Behind every donation is a volunteer who gave without knowing who would receive it. Behind every trauma survival story is the quiet, heroic act of donation.
New Frontiers: Prehospital Blood Transfusions Are Saving Lives in the Field
Time is everything in trauma care. A patient can lose their fight for life before reaching a hospital—especially in remote or underserved areas where medical facilities may be over 100 miles away. That’s where prehospital blood makes all the difference.
Once common, blood transfusions in the field were largely halted by layers of red tape and logistical hurdles. But that’s changing.
In partnership with emergency responders across Los Angeles County—including LA County Fire Department, Compton Fire Department, LA County EMS Agency, and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center—San Diego Blood Bank is proud to supply whole blood for field transfusions through the innovative pilot program, LA-DROP (Los Angeles Donation Response Optimization Program).
And it’s already working.
"We’re proud to collaborate with our colleagues in Los Angeles on this groundbreaking program. Serving all of Southern California, San Diego Blood Bank is committed to delivering innovative, life-saving solutions across the region. This initiative underscores our unwavering dedication to saving lives—even before patients reach the hospital. Together, we are raising the bar for timely, life-saving support."
- In April, a trauma victim in Compton received the program’s first prehospital transfusion, thanks to whole blood donors and quick action from the Compton Fire Department.
- Days later, a stabbing victim was stabilized by the Los Angeles Fire Department using a prehospital transfusion—blood that was donated and stored specifically for emergency field use.
- Recently, a third patient received a successful transfusion in an ambulance, marking another powerful milestone in this groundbreaking program.
These people are alive today because of volunteer blood donors from San Diego Blood Bank.
And this is only the beginning. Soon, our Guardians Circle program members will help fuel a new Rapid Response Team—made up of especially O+ and O- universal donors—to be part of a proactive system designed to place lifesaving blood where it’s needed most, faster than ever before.
More Than a Donation—It’s a Lifeline
Blood can’t be manufactured. It can’t be synthesized. It must be donated—freely and consistently. Especially O-negative, the universal type for trauma, and O-positive, the most needed type for general emergencies.
San Diego Blood Bank provides blood to more than 50 hospitals, trauma centers, and emergency teams across Southern California. But we can only do that with your help.
When trauma strikes—on the street, in rural communities, or even en route to the hospital—your donation ensures hope is already on the way.
San Diego Blood Bank fulfills our mission by collecting blood from our diverse, donor community to maintain a stable, 7-to-10-day supply of all blood types to support patient care through our hospital partners.
We invite all donors to make blood donation a lifesaving habit. We make that a bit simpler for those who commit to donating when eligible through our Guardians Circle Donor Pledge and Rewards Program by providing exclusive donor rewards, unique opportunities to make an impact, and reminders to come in to donate to stay a member. For O donors whose whole blood and red blood cells can universally support emergencies and traumas by providing immediate care, we need your commitment now, more than ever before. And that’s what the future of the Guardians Circle Rapid Response Team is all about. We can’t wait to share more soon.
Blood donors who show up again and again, make a direct impact on Southern Californians waiting for blood on the other end in the ER, operating table, and now, thanks to LA-DROP, in an ambulance in pilot program areas in Los Angeles.
Thank you, dedicated blood donors, for giving the incredible gift of life.
Meet some of the patients in your community who’ve benefitted from blood donations from heroes like you.
Trauma Survivors: Real Stories, Real Impact
Elizabeth’s Story
For local writer Elizabeth, a motorcycle accident nearly ended her life. She suffered a devastating leg injury and lost consciousness quickly. But a good Samaritan—who also happened to be a doctor—rushed to her side. He made a tourniquet from what he had and disappeared into the chaos.
Elizabeth was rushed into an ambulance, where she received a prehospital blood transfusion—the very reason she’s alive today.
Today, Elizabeth continues to write, advocate, and donate, ensuring others can get the same second chance she did.
Donate for patients like Elizabeth.
Listen to this Podcast featuring Elizabeth Earley and CEO Doug Morton
“I’ve officially donated as much blood as I received,” she says. “But I’m not done. As long as I can, I’ll keep giving—because someone gave for me. I’m committed to making an impact.”
Keely's Story
At just 8 years old, Keely survived a 30-foot fall from a ski lift, requiring 7 surgeries and over 30 blood products to heal. Thanks to generous blood donors, she made a full recovery—and today, she’s not only thriving but also giving back as a blood donor and advocate.
Donate for people like Keely.
Bryan's Story
Bryan’s life was saved by blood donors after a traumatic bicycle accident including a TBI and multiple surgeries that required months of recovery and many blood transfusions. Every single blood transfusion was there thanks to donors he’ll never meet. Today, Bryan is a dedicated blood donor and Team Survivor patient advocate who also chairs an annual blood drive that typically collects more than 150 units of blood every November.
Donate for neighbors like Bryan.
Jamila’s Story
When Jamila suffered a traumatic post-partum hemorrhage after childbirth, it was the transfusions she received in the operating room that saved her. As a mother and survivor, she now donates blood in gratitude and as a Team Survivor patient, advocates for blood donation and shares her story at events and blood drives.
Donate for moms like Jamila.
Watch Jamila’s Story on YouTube (3:06 minutes)
