Donate Blood, Save Lives
UC Merced
Upcoming Blood Drives
September 2 and 3
UC Merced 5200 North Lake Rd.
Wednesday, September 2
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE
Thursday, September 3
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE
$20 Gift Card + Halloween T-Shirt for Holiday Donors
Labor Day is all about honoring hard work. Your blood donation can do some of the heaviest lifting for patients who rely on blood, and we’re thanking you with a $20 gift card and an exclusive new Halloween T-shirt!
All donors who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 1-10, 2026, will receive a $20 Rewards gift card; must use promo code LABORDAY-2026-V when scheduling.* Donor Rewards program opt-in required.
Plus, you’ll get a new glow-in-the-dark “Boo-lieve in saving lives” Halloween T-shirt!**
Schedule your appointment today!
Learn more about donating blood
Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This constant need for blood can only be met by generous donors like you, and when you give blood, you could save the life of a cancer patient or someone needing open-heart surgery.
Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you're in good health and meet the general eligibility criteria, then you are likely able to give blood. There are some additional eligibility requirements you should know about. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO GIVE Significant updates have been made to blood donation eligibility in recent years allowing even more people to help save lives through blood donation.
Like all U.S. blood centers, Vitalant is required to follow eligibility guidelines issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More information on the FDA
I believe the idea that my blood could help save a life is so amazing. Even though I am not a trained medical professional, I can still make a positive impact on others.