Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 1, 2019) — News 8 and its stations, AM760 and 100.7FM, are partnering with the American Red Cross to host a Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive in honor of Kyle Kraska on Thursday, Feb. 14.
News 8’s sports anchor Kyle Kraska nearly died four years ago after being shot six times as he was leaving for work. He was rushed to La Jolla’s Scripps Memorial Hospital where he was treated for a number of traumatic injuries including a perforated liver and a collapsed lung. Kraska coded twice on the operating table and required multiple transfusions of blood products. On February 14, 2015, he woke up from a coma and walked out of the hospital a few days later.
Marking the 4-year anniversary of his survival, News 8 is inviting the community to help celebrate Kraska’s recovery and the honor the first responders and blood donors that helped save his life while collecting lifesaving blood for patients.
“I needed 14 units of blood to keep me alive,” said Kraska. “Thanks to those heroes who donated I am still here to pay it forward. I am hosting my very first Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive to honor all those who save lives every day – trauma surgeons, doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, blood donors – and to help fill a need for blood products in San Diego and across the country.”
Kyle Kraska’s Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive
Thursday, Feb. 14
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dave & Buster’s
2931 Camino Del Rio North
This blood drive will help the blood supply recover from a donation shortfall over the winter holidays that prompted the Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood donors to give now. Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and type O blood donors, are needed to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care. By donating blood, individuals can make a difference in the lives of patients in the community and throughout the nation.
As a thank-you, those who come to donate blood will receive a T-shirt, courtesy of News 8, and a 20 for 20 play card* courtesy of Dave & Buster’s, while supplies last.
CBS8, AM760 and 100.7FM will be broadcasting live throughout the blood drive.
To make an appointment for the Kyle Kraska Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive, download the Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), and use sponsor code News8Kyle.
Eligible donors who cannot give at the February 14 blood drive can also support Celebration of Heroes Red Cross SleevesUp virtual blood drive. Simply click on the Kyle Kraksa Celebration of Heroes Blood Drive and make an appointment at any convenient blood donation opportunity.
How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
*Give-aways are not redeemable for cash.