LifeStream Blood Bank is down to less than 1-day supply of blood, putting cancer and surgical patients, accident victims, and newborn babies at imminent risk of procedures being canceled due to lack of blood.
“The situation is critical,” Dr. Rick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director, said. “We are extremely low on all blood types; for example, we have only 47 units of O positive blood — the blood type most in demand — on the shelf. We can’t even send one unit of O positive to each of the more than 80 hospitals we serve.”
“Surgeons can only do so much without an ample blood supply,” he continued. “On behalf of patients they assist, I implore the community to come forward and help.”
Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome at all locations. Donors must be at least 15 years of age (15- and 16-year-olds require a signed parental consent form; the form is available at all LifeStream locations) weigh at least 115 pounds, present current photo ID, and be in good health.
To locate the nearest LifeStream collection site including convenient mobile blood drives, go to LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.
The San Bernardino LifeStream Blood Bank building is at 384 W. Orange Show Road. Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Press release courtesy of LifeStream
Posted: Sept. 23, 2020