SAN DIEGO (Oct. 6, 2025) — For the ninth consecutive year, San Diego State University (SDSU) and the American Red Cross are teaming up to help hospital patients through the Aztecs for Life Blood Drive. The San Diego community is invited to join the Aztecs and CBS 8 on Thursday, November 13, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Viejas Arena. The blood donations collected will help treat cancer patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and others requiring life-impacting blood transfusions.

All presenting donors at this special drive will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last!* Plus, coupons from local businesses including: Oggi’s: one free Cookie Bake, McDonald’s: one free dessert, Handel’s: one scoop of ice cream, and a travel-size soap from Dr. Bronner's, while supplies last!*

In addition, all who come to give blood Oct. 20-Nov. 16 get a $10 e-gift card to choice of merchant PLUS a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes! See rcblood.org/harvest for details. 

At the 8th annual Aztecs for Life Blood Drive, 401 units of blood were collected, which set a new record for the event. This milestone continues its legacy as the largest single-day collegiate blood drive in the state of California.

“We’re excited to continue the lifesaving tradition of helping those who need it most at the 9th Annual Aztecs for Life Blood Drive,” said Lisa Bynum, Senior Associate Athletic Director of Marketing and New Media, San Diego State University. “Our Aztec community has helped collect 2,375 units of blood over the last eight years making an impactful difference for patients in need. We’re excited to impact more lives this year!”

The blood collected at this special blood drive will help ensure that the 115 Southern California hospitals that the Red Cross serves – including 10 San Diego hospitals – have the blood products that patients rely on.

Appointments are recommended and can be made at GoAztecs.com/BloodDrive or by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, and using sponsor code Aztecs.

Aztecs for Life Blood Drive

San Diego State University - Viejas Arena

Thursday, November 13

9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5500 Canyon Crest Drive

How to donate blood

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a major public research institution and an R1 university, as designated by Carnegie. SDSU provides transformative experiences for its more than 40,000 students. SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, master’s degrees in 88 fields and 29 doctoral programs. SDSU ranks as the No. 1 California State University in federal research support, and as one of the top public research universities in California. In addition to academic offerings at SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley and SDSU Georgia, SDSU Global Campus offers online training, certificates and degrees in areas of study designed to meet the needs of students everywhere. Students participate in transformational research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, internships and mentoring, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. SDSU is nationally recognized for its study abroad initiatives and global footprint, veterans’ programs and support of LGBTQIA+ students, as well as its powerhouse Division I Athletics Program. The university was most recently recognized as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and is also a long-standing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The university’s rich campus life and location offer opportunities for students to lead and engage with the creative and performing arts, career and internship opportunities with SDSU’s more than 500,000 living alumni, and the vibrant cultural life of the greater San Diego and U.S.-Mexico region.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with the Southern California Region on X, Instagram, YouTube or Facebook.

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*Offer applicable to presenting donors only during the following date(s): 11/13/2025 and while supplies last. Offer subject to availability of donation opportunities in presenting donor’s area. No substitutions and not transferable by presenting donor. Not redeemable for cash. 2025-APL-0843