LifeStream Blood Bank, which provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals, is going on appeal for blood donations in the wake of growing demand for blood products as an increasing number of delayed procedures (due to COVID-19 concerns) are being scheduled at local hospitals. “We are reluctant to take this step, but the situation is critical,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director. “To ensure transfusion needs are met for cancer treatments, organ transplants and other vital surgical procedures, our community must come forward and help.
“We have less than a 1-day supply of most blood types."
“All successful donations are tested for presence of COVID-19 antibodies,” he added. “This can tell a donor if he or she could make a future convalescent plasma donation that could potentially assist patients’ currently ill with the virus.”
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.
Locations and hours for LifeStream donor centers follow:
San Bernardino, 384 W. Orange Show Road: 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.
Riverside, 4006 Van Buren Blvd.: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Ontario, 1959 E. Fourth St.: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday..
Victorville, 12520 Business Center Drive, Bldg. G: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Thursday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
La Quinta, 79-215 Corporate Centre Drive: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Wednesday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Murrieta, 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Friday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Rancho Mirage, 42390 Bob Hope Drive, Ste. 1B, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
All donors must wear a face covering (mask/coverings with one-way valves to filter outside air are not sufficient), submit to a temperature check and COVID-19 symptom review before being admitted to the donor waiting area. LifeStream adheres to social distancing guidelines and has enhanced already strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
LifeStream is a local, nonprofit blood center that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals.
For more information, call 800-879-4484.
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