LifeStream honors Sheriff McMahon, Det. Alex Collins at Gift of Life Tribute, 10-Gallon Donor Celebration

LifeStream blood bank honored San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon and SBCSD Det. Alex Collins at its Gift of Life Tribute, 10-Gallon Donor Celebration event Sunday, March 2 at the National Orange Show Events Center, San Bernardino. The annual event honors LifeStream donors who have donated 10 gallons or more of blood. Multiple-Emmy award winning NBC4 Southern California reporter Tony Shin was master of ceremonies. Sheriff McMahon was presented LifeStream’s Humanitarian of the Year award by Dr. Frederick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director. The sheriff’s department and LifeStream have a longstanding relationship; blood drives hosted by the department in recent years have collected more than 3,000 units of lifesaving blood. “LifeStream is proud to count Sheriff John McMahon and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as partners in our mission,” said Dr. Axelrod in announcing the 2014 Humanitarian of the Year recipient. “It is truly an honor to be in the presence of so many giving and caring people,” said Sheriff McMahon. “The ‘gift of life’ is what each and every donor gives, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of them.” Sheriff McMahon also granted LifeStream access to department personnel, equipment and offices to film the blood bank’s annual donor-patient video, which focuses on Det. Collins treatment, recovery and return to work after being seriously wounded in the February 2013 Big Bear manhunt. The conclusion of the video prompted a spontaneous, extended standing ovation from the 800 in attendance. The video is dedicated to the memory of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Detective Jeremiah MacKay, who was mortally wounded in the ambush that also wounded Det. Collins. In honor of Det. MacKay, his friend and fellow bagpiper Deputy John Hayes played “Rowan Tree” on the bagpipes. Det. Collins and his wife Lila then accepted from Dr. Axelrod a framed certificate of appreciation and a piece of unique, quirky artwork titled “The Badge” created by doctor-turned-artist Don Stewart. “I received several units of blood during my recovery and am humbled by the opportunity to thank those in attendance for what they did to help save my life; they are the true heroes,” said Det. Collins. Also receiving standing ovations were Larry Bloemsma, Redlands; and Bob Hitchman III, Highland, LifeStream’s two most prolific blood donors. Through 2013, Bloemsma had donated 124 gallons; Hitchman 123 gallons. Bloemsma also was acknowledged for having recently made his 1,000th blood donation. He began donating blood in 1964. James Gleason, Riverside; and Jon Kyle, Calimesa were recognized for making a lifesaving bone marrow donation in 2013. Last year, the 200th marrow donation was facilitated with a LifeStream donor. Special guests also included Doug Moore, chief of staff for Supervisor Josie Gonzales; Tony Mejia, legislative analyst for Supervisor James Ramos; and Aaron Jimenez, representing Assembly Member Mike Morrell. The Kaiser High School Jazz Band entertained during lunch. Event sponsors included AON Risk Solutions; Arrowhead Regional Medical Center; Barstow Community Hospital; Barstow Community Hospital Auxiliary; Blood Systems; California Steel Industries; Chino Valley Medical Center; Cintas; Crown Toyota; Desert Regional Medical Center; Haemonetics; Hi-Desert Medical Center; Loma Linda University Health; Merchants Building Maintenance, LLC; Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, LLP; OnTarget Promotions; Redlands Community Hospital; Security Bank; Separation Technology, Inc;, St. Joseph Health, St. Mary Medical Center; Sunrise Ford; and Terumo BCT, Inc. LifeStream is an independent, nonprofit local blood center founded in 1951 that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals.