Van Gonka News Today

Two Navy Seals declared dead after going into the ocean off the coast of Somalia this month were identified Monday as members of a San Diego-based unit. In other news, San Diego nonprofit Pillars of the Community held the first of what they say will be regular clinics to help San Diegans seal their criminal records. Plus, school buses to transport students on field trips can cost hundreds of dollars that districts can’t cover. We learn about an organization that has had to temporarily put the ...

In 2023, more than 200,000 people benefited from blood donations from the San Diego Blood Bank.

January is National Blood Donor Month. There tends to be extra need at blood banks at this time of year and different blood drives across the region Wednesday looked to fill that gap.

In order to bring awareness to the need for blood, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month since 1970.

The San Diego Blood Bank typically likes to have a seven day supply of all blood types. As of Monday, they had about a day and a half supply.

The crisis is being driven by surging covid cases, canceled blood drives, staffing issues, even severe weather in some parts of the country.

A Chula Vista man reached a lifesaving milestone Tuesday. David Carroll donated his 100th gallon of blood, his donation comes at a critical time.

Ever since News 8 viewers saw Karina Willis’ story, they've been inspired to donate blood.

Blood banks are pleading for people to donate blood to help cancer patients like 5-year-old Karina Willis and others needing blood.

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Blood continues to run dry at the San Diego Blood Bank. Claudine Van Gonka, Director and Community Relations and Marketing at San Diego Blood Bank, joined KUSI’s Jason Austell on Good Morning San Diego to discuss the nationwide shortage. The Blood Bank will soon be holding an event, the Comic-Con 45th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive. Donate blood at any San Diego Blood Bank donation site throughout Aug. 29 and you’ll get a limited edition Marvel Black Widow T-shirt and C...