Top IE Blood Bank Official Warns Of 'Severe Shortage' In SoCal

The following is a Dec. 29, 2021 press release from LifeStream:

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Officials at LifeStream Blood Bank, which provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals, are urging residents to help the community battle back against a severe blood shortage.

“We have less than a 1-day supply of red blood cells available, and several of our hospitals have no type O red blood cells on their shelves,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream's president, CEO and medical director. “This is a national crisis, and we are unable to receive help from other blood centers. Currently, we have a hospital with four patients waiting on surgeries because of the blood shortage. Hospitals will most likely have to cancel elective surgeries and may not have enough blood for severe traumas.”

Blood donors may give regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. For the safety of staff and donors, LifeStream requires face coverings for all and continues to observe social distancing guidelines and enforces strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

“This shortage puts patient care at risk, and we ask our community to stand with those patients and their loved ones by ‘rolling up a sleeve’ and sharing their most precious gift,” Dr. Axelrod said.

LifeStream has fixed-site centers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, La Quinta, Murrieta, Rancho Mirage, Moreno Valley and Placentia, and conducts mobile blood drives throughout its service area seven days per week.

To make an appointment, call 1-800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.