LifeStream marks World Blood Donor Day

LifeStream encourages all eligible individuals to make a life-saving gift of blood donation on World Blood Donor Day

SAN BERNARDINO – Today, June 14, on World Blood Donor Day, LifeStream Blood Bank urges all eligible individuals to save lives through donation.

“World Blood Donor Day is an opportunity to thank our many local donors who selflessly help save lives and encourage more people to start their own donation journey,” said Dr. Rick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director. “This is a critical time for our blood supply. The need for blood products continues, but the pace of donations traditionally slows during the summer months. World Blood Donor Day is the perfect opportunity to make an appointment to donate and help protect a safe and ample blood supply.”

Countries around the globe celebrate World Blood Donor Day annually to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors. Mexico is the sponsor country this year, and the theme is “Donating blood is an act of solidarity. Join the effort and save lives.”

LifeStream highlighted the release of a first of its kind guide that provides the latest look at America’s blood supply and its donors through data curated from published research, credible public sources and input from industry experts. It found that although a blood transfusion is needed every two seconds in the United States, just three percent of the U.S. population donates blood each year. Worldwide, more than 120 million pints of blood are needed each year. A single donation can help two or more patients in need, and each donation can be separated into more than one blood product, including red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

Recognizing the need to increase awareness about blood donation and grow the next generation of lifelong donors, LifeStream is also promoting Vein to Vein: The Science of Blood Donation, a groundbreaking high school education program to help teachers craft lesson plans to develop student leadership skills and a lifelong interest in supporting our nation’s blood supply. This turn-key resource is educator-crafted and designed to meet Next Generation Science Standards.

LifeStream is a nonprofit blood bank that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals in six counties. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 800-879-4484 or click here.