Patient well-being is now at stake as the LifeStream Blood Bank inventory drops to less than one-day supply, 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,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president, “We are extremely low on all blood types 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. On behalf of patients they assist, I implore the community to come forward and help.”
A blood drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, September 24), at Vons in Yucca Valley. All blood donors must wear a face mask and undergo a COVID-19 health screening on arrival. All donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 115 pounds, and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors will receive a free cholesterol screening and incentives. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome at all locations. To locate the nearest LifeStream collection site including convenient mobile blood drives, or to make an go to LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.
To make an appointment to donate blood, call 800-TRY-GIVING.
