Blood Bank Commemorates Anniversary of San Bernardino Terrorist Attack

SAN BERNARDINO>> LifeStream blood bank, whose headquarters is less than a mile from the scene of the Dec. 2, 2015 terrorist attack at Inland Regional Center, saluted first responders, medical professionals and volunteer blood donors during a 40-minute commemorative event on the first anniversary of the attack. Guests included San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis, Assembly Member Marc Steinorth, San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman and Chief Joseph Paulino of the San Bernardino Unified City School District Police. Dr. Frederick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director, welcomed guests and asked them to join in a moment of silence in memory of the 14 lives lost during the Dec. 2, 2015 attack. “December 2, 2015, brought us all to our knees,” he said. “But that was only temporary. Almost immediately, our diverse community rallied as one to help and support one another. We came together as never before. The message was unmistakable: We’re down, but not beaten. We’re strong, we’re united, we’re resilient and we’re moving forward with renewed sense of purpose. This community has lived up to that vow and, today, our collective strength is immeasurable.” Subsequent speakers included Heather Froglear, K-FROG radio; Dr. Wesley T. Stevens, director, transfusion medicine at Loma Linda University Health; and Don Meza, director, adult services, Inland Regional Center. LifeStream delivered more than 300 units of blood products on Dec. 2, 2015 to emergency rooms that received the wounded. Axelrod pointed out that large volume – about triple the average daily number of units requested by the same hospitals – was available only because donors had given blood in the days before Dec. 2, 2015. “Thank you to our blood donors,” he said. “When they give blood, they don’t know how vital their contribution will be. They don’t know the recipient’s age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or political preference. It doesn’t matter to blood donors. It only matters that someone will be helped.” The Redlands High School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Jesse Diaz, opened the program by singing the National Anthem.