Officials at LifeStream Blood Bank, which provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals, are urging residents to give the “gift of life” and help the community battle back against a severe blood shortage.
“We have less than a 1-day supply of O positive, O negative, A positive and A negative blood, and barely more than a single day supply of B positive and B negative blood,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director.
“This across-the-board shortage puts patient care at risk, and we ask our community to stand with those patients and their loved ones by ‘rolling up a sleeve’ and sharing their most precious gift,” he said.
Blood donors may give regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. For the safety of staff and donors, LifeStream requires face coverings for all, and continues to observe social distancing guidelines along with enforcing strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
“There has not been a known case of COVID transmission between staff and donor, or vice versa, throughout the pandemic,” Dr. Axelrod said.
LifeStream has fixed-site centers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, La Quinta, Murrieta, Rancho Mirage, Moreno Valley and Placentia, and conducts mobile blood drives throughout its service area seven days per week.
To make an appointment, call 1-800-TRY GIVING or visit LStream.org.
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