Blood Supply Runs Perilously Low At IE's LifeStream Blood Bank

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The nonprofit LifeStream Blood Bank is going on appeal for blood donations in the wake of growing demand for blood as an increasing number of hospital procedures delayed due to the coronavirus are now being scheduled.

“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," he said.

All successful donations are tested for presence of COVID-19 antibodies.

“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," Axelrod continued.

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 mobile blood drives,
go to LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.

Inland Empire locations and hours for LifeStream donor centers:

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 cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

LifeStream provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals.

For more information, call 800-879-4484.