Blood Supply Dangerously Low, Appeal Issued

As the blood supply dwindles, LifeStream Blood Bank – the exclusive provider of blood products and services for all Greater Palm Springs Area hospitals – is going on appeal.

LifeStream has issued an appeal for blood donations in the wake of a local blood shortage and with the travel-intensive Memorial Day weekend just ahead.

Less than one day of blood supply types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative are available.

“If we can’t collect more blood, and do so immediately, patient well-being is at risk,” Dr. Rick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president/CEO and medical director, said in making the appeal.

“Historically – and this is  unfortunate — we’re forced to purchase and import blood from other areas due to not enough blood donors here to satisfy local need,” he said. “But we can’t and shouldn’t count on others. Those avenues aren’t always available, which is the case now.

“More important, we have the population here to support local needs.”

Walk-ins are welcome at all locations. Donors must be at least 15 years of age (15- and 16-year-olds require a signed parental consent form; the form is available at all LifeStream locations) weigh at least 110 pounds, present current photo ID, and be in good health.

To locate the nearest LifeStream collection site including convenient mobile blood drives, go to LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.

Donors at all centers (locations follow) Thursday, May 16; Friday, May 17; Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

To help bolster the blood supply locations and hours for LifeStream donor centers follow:

• La Quinta, 79-215 Corporate Centre Drive: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Wednesday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• San Bernardino, 384 W. Orange Show Road: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday; 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
• Riverside, 4006 Van Buren Blvd.: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Ontario, 1959 E. Fourth St.: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday,   Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Sunday.
• Victorville, 12520 Business Center Drive, Bldg. G: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Thursday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Murrieta, 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

LifeStream is a local, nonprofit blood center that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals.

For more information, call 800-879-4484.