Redlands Man Makes 1000th Blood Donation

Larry Bloemsma, a 50-year Redlands resident, made his 1,000th blood donation on Thursday, February 6 at LifeStream, a local non-profit independent blood bank that provides blood products and services to over 80 Southern California hospitals. Upon arrival at the blood bank, he followed the same procedures he had done 999 other times prior to donation - register with photo ID, go through the screening process, then a mini-physical to ensure the donor is healthy enough to have blood drawn. Following the donation, LifeStream President/CEO Dr. Rick Axelrod made a special presentation in the canteen, where all donors conclude their donation experience with a healthy snack and drinks. Bloemsma began donating blood locally in 1964 while employed at Norton Air Force Base. Since LifeStream began electronically recording donations in 1986, Bloemsma has donated an estimated 575 times. In 1993, he became a regular platelets donor. Don Escalante, a LifeStream spokesperson shares, "For 50 years, Larry has served others by generously donating blood. By doing so, he has touched the lives of thousands of local patients and given comfort to their loved ones. We were privileged to witness a rare feat in blood banking when Larry made his 1000th donation. Larry is a LifeStream treasure."