Blood Donors Needed — Find a Blood Drive in Capitola

Red Cross blood donation levels fell to emergency lows in late June, prompting a nationwide response in July and early August. Nearly 15,000 donations above the average were given in July, cutting the shortage by 30 percent, Red Cross Communications Associate Jared Schultzman said.

While Red Cross officials have reported that levels are "slowly improving," more blood is still needed to ensure adequate supply through September.

"If at least three additional people give at each blood drive through the end of August – above what the Red Cross already expects to collect – there would be enough blood on the shelves to meet patient needs through the end of the summer," Schultzman said.

There are 12 Red Cross blood drives between now and the end of the week within a reasonable distance, including one right here in Mid-County. For any blood drive, if you wish to make an appointment, call 1-800-733-2767 or go to redcrossblood.org and enter the city-specific sponsor code listed below. See times and dates of Bay Area blood drives below.

Where/When to give blood in Capitola and Santa Cruz County:

Capitola: St. Joseph’s Catholic Community
Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Church Hall, 435 Monterey Ave., Capitola.
(Sponsor Code: STJOSCAP) to schedule an appointment.

Santa Cruz Community 
Wednesday, August 15, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gymnasium, 220 Elk St., Santa
Cruz.
(Sponsor Code: SANTA) to schedule an appointment.
Entrance to parking lot is off Pacheco Avenue.

Felton Community
Friday, August 17, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, Taylor Hall, 6090 Highway 9, Felton.
(Sponsor Code: FELTON) to schedule an appointment.

Other August blood donation opportunities:

Greenfield: Greenfield Village Apartments
Wednesday, August 15, noon – 4 p.m.
American Red Cross Bus, 104 S. El Camino Real, Greenfield.
(Sponsor Code: GREENFIELD) to schedule an appointment.

Saratoga: Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Thursday, August 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Red Cross Bus, 13601 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga.
(Sponsor Code: STANDREWSSARATOGA) to schedule an appointment.

Hollister Community
Thursday, August 16, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cultural Hall, 1670 Cienega Road, Hollister.
(Sponsor Code: HOLLISTER) to schedule an appointment.

Mountain View/Los Altos Community
Friday, August 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saint Simon Catholic Parish, Spooncer Hall, 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos.
(Sponsor Code: MTVIEW84) to schedule an appointment.

Fremont Police Department
Friday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Red Cross Bus, 2000 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont.
(Sponsor Code: FREMONTPOLICEVOLUNTEER) to schedule an appointment. 

Alameda Hospital
Friday, August 17, 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Conference Room A, 2070 Clinton Ave., Alameda.
(Sponsor Code: ALAMEDA) to schedule an appointment.

Orchard Supply Hardware
Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Red Cross Bus, 303 E. 10th St., Gilroy.
Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or go to redcrossblood.org
(Sponsor Code: ORCHARD) to schedule an appointment. 

Oakland: Allen Temple Baptist Church
Saturday, August 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
J. Alfred Smith Hall, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland.
(Sponsor Code: ALLEN) to schedule an appointment.

Newark: Girl Scouts of Northern California
Saturday, August 18, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Red Cross Bus, Washington Township Medical Foundation, 6236 Thornton Ave., Newark.
(Sponsor Code: GIRLSCOUTSNEWARK) to schedule an appointment.