by Don Escalante on 2016-02-17

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena has been named LifeStream blood bank’s Inland Empire Humanitarian of the Year for 2016. The award will be presented Sunday, Feb. 28 at the Riverside Convention Center during LifeStream’s 2016 Gift of Life Tribute, 10-Gallon Donor Celebration. “On behalf of San Manuel, I am proud and humbled to accept this honor,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Valbuena. “San Manuel takes great pride in its concern for overall community wellness and LifeStream is a natural partner for us to further those goals. “It will be a privilege to meet so many selfless blood donors and to be able to personally thank them on behalf of San Manuel for all they do to save lives in our community.” In recent years, the tribe has assisted LifeStream with the purchase of its newest, largest bloodmobile that conducts convenient “go to the donor” blood drives, and has helped fund testing to identify those in the region with rare blood types. LifeStream’s Gift of Life, 10-Gallon Donor Celebration includes a luncheon, silent auction, awards ceremony, premiere of the organization’s new donor-patient video, and “red carpet walk” and take-home photo for all attendees.