Submitted by: Claudine Van Gonka, Director, Community Relations & Media, San Diego Blood Bank

This month, San Diego Blood Bank proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary—seven and a half decades of service to patients across Southern California. Since 1950, more than 5.5 million pints of blood have been donated through San Diego Blood Bank, helping as many as 150,000 patients each year. From trauma care to cancer treatment, childbirth, and surgeries, blood donations remain an irreplaceable lifeline. 

The past decade has brought both challenges and breakthroughs. In 2021, San Diego Blood Bank navigated the global pandemic by collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma and testing donations for antibodies. That same year, the nation faced its first-ever blood shortage. Rising to the moment, San Diego Blood Bank opened donor centers in Liberty Station and Chula Vista, followed later by Irvine and Clairemont. These centers now collect thousands of pints annually, expanding the safety net for patients in need. 

In 2023, San Diego Blood Bank launched its Precision Blood™ initiative expansion, revolutionizing transfusion care by better matching donors and recipients. More than 30,000 donations have already undergone advanced typing, setting a higher standard of care and improving outcomes for patients throughout the U.S. 

Behind every pint of blood is a personal story. Ten-year-old Kamila Saradpon, who has a rare form of anemia, has relied on over 200 transfusions since she was two months old. Every three weeks, she spends hours in the hospital receiving lifesaving blood. In 2024, Kamila and her family met some of the donors who directly impacted her life. 

"So far, my daughter Kamila has not experienced any of the serious complications that living with thalassemia can present, but because she's had over 150 blood transfusions from over 150 different blood donors, she has developed antibodies - significantly decreasing her pool of matched donors,” said Kamila’s mother, Maria Saradpon. “Without matched donors, Kamila would not be able to receive the only treatment available for her condition, which is lifelong blood transfusions. With better matched blood, Kamila can continue to thrive, and her future is bright." Her story underscores why blood donations—and innovations like Precision Blood™—are critical. 

As a proud Live Well San Diego partner San Diego Blood Bank collaborates with organizations such as San Ysidro Health, iHeart Radio, CBS8, and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce through the Community Guardians program. Together, these partners amplify the mission, engage donors, and safeguard our regional blood supply. 

As San Diego Blood Bank celebrates 75 years, our mission continues with your support through blood donations, volunteering, financial contributions, and participation in medical research. Every action saves lives. Learn more ways to get involved at SanDiegoBloodBank.org.