The Power to Save a Life Is in Your Veins
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A message from Chairwoman Nora Vargas:
Think about your family, your friends, everyone you know. Chances are one of them needed blood at some point in their life. Here at the County several employees have needed that lifesaving transfusion.
Thanks to an anonymous person who took the time to donate, they continue to serve our community as our County colleagues.
That’s why for 40 years, the County has hosted an annual blood drive.
Join the County to do your part in this month-long event with locations across the region.
To celebrate 40 years, we are highlighting three County colleagues who know first-hand the importance of blood donations.
Cecilia Trinidad, in the Auditor and Controller’s IT office, is a competitive skydiver. While competing, she suffered a traumatic crash. Cecilia is alive today thanks to her care team and donors who provided 4 bags of blood.
Sara Fuentes, in Health and Human Services Agency’s Aging and Independence Services, also knows the battle against leukemia. Her daughter had numerous blood and platelet transfusions for five years during two battles with leukemia. Today Sara’s daughter is thriving, and she’s indebted to blood donors who gave her a fighting chance.
Mary-Huyen Gonzalez, in Health and Human Services Agency’s Self-Sufficiency Services, started donating blood at 17-years old on her birthday. She organized drives at school and the companies she worked with, donating blood and platelets often. Her family members and brother needed lifesaving transfusions and Mary-Huyen was hit with cancer herself needing transfusions and surgery.
“Some people say it’s like getting a second chance at life, but I try and continue to live life fully,” Mary-Huyen said.
Thank you to these three extraordinary colleagues for sharing their inspiring stories.
It is easy to sign up at one of the dozens of locations across the county. At your appointment, your iron level, pulse, and cholesterol will be checked to ensure you are healthy enough to give.
This year the County has added 2 more sites, totaling 24 locations you can sign up to donate at during the month of April.
I am so proud of our County employees that last year donated 435 pints of blood, enough to save more than 1,305 lives. That’s hundreds of parents, children, tíos and tías that were helped.
This year the goal is 501 pints. Last year the County came close to being the second largest blood drive that year. The County had 512 participants but only 435 could give due to travel and other restrictions. The Padres collected 504 pints. It is within our grasp to be the largest blood drive all year.
Don’t forget the County provides 2 hours of paid time during your workday to give blood. It is easy to sign up and give, please take a look at the convenient list of times and locations below.
As a proud donor myself I encourage you to join me in giving this incredible gift to reach our goal. ¡Si se puede!
CAC INAUGURATION EVENT – County Administration Center | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 9:30 am – 3 pm
North Coastal Family Resource Center (Oceanside) | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 | 10 am – 2 pm
County Operations Center – Kearny Mesa | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 9 am – 3 pm
County of SD HHSA – South Region | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
San Diego Superior Court and County | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 11 am – 4:30 pm
Fallbrook Community Center | BOOK NOW
Monday, April 8, 2024 | 11 pm – 4 pm
County of San Diego – Department of Public Works | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1 pm
Lakeside Branch Library | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 11 am – 4:30 pm
East Region Live Well Center | BOOK NOW
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
North Central Family Resource Center | BOOK NOW
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
Edgemoor Hospital DPSNF – Santee | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
South Region Live Well Center | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
Vista Library | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 11, 2024 | Noon - 5 pm
County Health & Human Services – Lemon Grove | BOOK NOW
Friday, April 12, 2024 | 10 am – 3:30 pm
North Inland Live Well (Escondido) | BOOK NOW
Monday, April 15, 2024 | 9 am – 2 pm
South Eastern Live Well Center (Lemon Grove) | BOOK NOW
Monday, April 15, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
County of San Diego HHSA – North Central/Residential | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 16. 2024 | 8 am – 1:30 pm
Live Well Support Center – Seville Plaza | BOOK NOW
Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 9:30 am – 3 pm
County of San Diego – Housing and Community Development Services | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
John F. Duffy Administration Center (Sheriff Headquarters) | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
Probation – South Bay Region (Chula Vista) | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
San Diego Superior Court – South County Division | BOOK NOW
Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9 am – 2:30 pm
HHSA – San Diego Child Welfare | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 8:30 am – 2 pm
Youth Development Center | BOOK NOW
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 9 am – 3 pm
Julian Branch Library | BOOK NOW
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | Noon – 5 pm