I try to donate blood during SDCC each year, and here is my experience with the Blood Drive of SDCC 2025
Every year SDCC has a massive blood drive held in The Grand Hyatt. As usual, when I attend Comic Con, I make sure to stop by this year and offer up a donation that is always critical. I wanted to discuss donating this year, not only to encourage people to give but also to let them know about both the experience and the potential goodies you can pick up.
Blood Drive — SDCC 2025 T-Shirt
First of all, signing up is easy. A link is posted online every year, and you can sign up in person on the second floor of the convention center or at The Grand Hyatt. There are a ton of time slots available in 15-minute increments.
One of the big lures every year is blood drive exclusive shirts. As a guy who doesn’t do a ton of cosplay, I enjoy getting these because, in a way, you are taking part in one big group costume. It’s especially cool to see someone on the floor wearing the same shirt and realizing you are part of the same group. This year, it was a Fantastic Four shirt, but there is a way to get an additional one, which I will talk about shortly.
When you arrive, one of the first things you get is a voucher for the aforementioned shirt that is yours afterwards, no matter what. Therefore, if you are unable to complete the donation for any reason, it’s not a wasted effort on your part. This is a nice gesture, especially since some people are unable to complete a donation for reasons no worse than it’s tough to get a draw started. Volunteers are everywhere, and they guide you through all the steps and places to go. You never feel lost or unsure of what’s next.
Blood Drive — SDCC 2025 Thomas
You have two options for the donation. One or two units can be drawn. I always do two and encourage everyone to do so if they can, for several reasons. First and most obvious is that more donations help out more people. Two, when you donate two units, I.V. fluids are put back in. This results in a lot less recovery time when it comes to feeling woozy after the draw. I mentioned that I feel good enough to do cartwheels afterwards. If I were physically capable of doing one, that is. Lastly, two units increase the amount of swag you both get and can potentially get.
Blood Drive — SDCC 2025 Prize
During my donation, several people who were recipients of donations collected at SDCC came up to talk. This was an amazing experience. Usually, I get a notification when my blood is used, but this was such a feel-good moment.
After the draw, you collect your initial shirt, and then if you donated two units, there is an option for a second one. My only disappointment this year was that they were already out of my size in the shirt I wanted, but I still enjoyed the look of it. Pins, figures, and dice are also there if you fancy. Lastly, for each unit donated, you push a button on a box that lights up either red or green. If it’s red, you don’t win, but if it’s green, you get another prize of your choice. I received a cool Sephiroth print I’m super stoked for. I got the print on my second attempt, so the extra unit paid off.
Blood donation is always needed. As of this writing, there were 3300 pints collected per the San Diego Blood Bank. I know SDCC is such a crazy experience, and we are trying to get as much in as possible, but if you have an hour to spare, please consider it. I’ll be there again next year to hit my 1 gallon mark and hope others are willing to give as well.