UCI Health and the City of Irvine are partnering for a series of blood drives which will be held at Great Park monthly through September. A blood supply crisis is posing a concerning risk to patient care both locally and nationally. To address the great need for blood donations in Orange County, UCI Health Blood Drives will take place by appointment only in Great Park Parking Lot 2 on the following dates:

• Tuesday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, August 18, noon to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, September 29, noon to 6 p.m.

The UCI Medical Center is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Orange County, and transfuses over 1,000 units of blood every month. Cancer patients, people who have experienced a severe trauma such as an auto accident as well as babies in the NICU make up a high percentage of those receiving blood every day. Blood cannot be manufactured, which means they need at least 1,000 people to donate blood each month in order to meet the needs of people in our community.

Those who give blood in May will receive two ice skating passes plus skate rental from Great Park Ice, courtesy of UCI Health. More giveaways will be announced closer to the dates of upcoming blood drives as an extra thank-you to donors.

Great Park is located at 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. For more information about eligibility, safety, other common questions about blood drives, and to book a blood drive appointment, visit yourgreatpark.org/BloodDrive.