Blood centers are facing a summer shortage in Southern California, leaving a critically low one- to two-day supply. The American Red Cross in Southern California made an emergency appeal for blood donors after its average of red blood cells dipped slightly below the normal five-day stockpile. An official with LifeStream—which provides blood to more than 80 hospitals in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange and Imperial counties—said its one- to two-day supply would make it tough to provide enough blood in a big emergency. LifeStream already is importing blood from America’s Blood Centers. The Red Cross has had a national shortage since July 4, and the Red Cross and LifeStream have set up donation events. Nationally, an average 4 percent of a U.S. community’s residents donate blood. Supplies typically drop each summer when people go on vacation and school is out. “Donating blood just isn’t on many people’s minds now,” said LifeStream spokesman Don Escalante. LifeStream’s inventory, which needs 500 daily collections to serve hospitals and maintain the bank’s five-day supply, decreases by a third each summer. High school students donate 20 percent and Coachella Valley snowbirds donate 10 percent. Donations are voluntary and unpaid. California donors must be at least 15 or 16 years old, depending on the blood bank, at least 110 pounds, in good health and have current photo identification.
