San Diego City Wire

Hundreds of County Employees Donate During Blood Drive

Jun 1 2023

Hundreds of County of San Diego employees from across the region participated in the annual County Blood Drive, organized in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank at 16 County locations. The event, which took place throughout the month of April, saw nearly 500 employees taking part, with 128 employees donating for the first time. Altogether, County employees donated enough blood to save the lives of over 1,300 people.

"For 39 years County employees have donated blood to save the lives of trauma patients, new mothers, and others in need," stated Eric McDonald, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer. McDonald also expressed personal gratitude, saying, "I want to thank them for benefitting people like my mother who needed a blood transfusion after a gastrointestinal bleed a couple of years ago. I am grateful that she is still with us today because of the generosity of blood donors."

The San Diego Blood Bank acknowledged the significant contributions of County employees, with CEO Doug Morton stating, “We are grateful to the many County employees, including a number of first-time donors, who came out to donate blood and save lives again this year." Morton emphasized the ongoing need for blood donations, saying, “We still need donations of all blood types and encourage people to take the time to donate at a San Diego Blood Bank donor center or mobile blood drive in their neighborhood. It is important for San Diegans of all backgrounds to give, to provide more matches to those in need.”

The County of San Diego drive, in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank, remains one of the largest and most successful collection events, with the Community Guardians Program dedicated to promoting and expanding blood donations. Individuals are encouraged to schedule an appointment to donate blood to continue saving lives in the community.