Coachella Valley Blood Drives Scheduled Amid 'Critical Shortage'

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — LifeStream Blood Bank, which says it is experiencing a "critical" shortage of donated blood, will hold a series of mobile blood donation events this week in the Coachella Valley, where donors also will be screened for COVID-19 antibodies.

The drives are scheduled on the following days:
-- Tuesday at Riccio's Steak & Seafood, 495 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
-- Wednesday at Palm Springs Motors, 69-200 Highway 111 in Cathedral City, from 6:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
-- Wednesday at Trilogy at the Polo Club, 51750 Polo Club Drive in Indio, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and;
-- Friday at Valley Plumbing, 78886 Avenue 41 in Bermuda Dunes, from 1 to 6 p.m.

The nonprofit made an urgent plea for blood donations in recent days, saying that the shortage put cancer and surgical patients, along with accident victims and newborn babies, at risk of having crucial procedures canceled due to a lack of blood.

"The situation is critical," said LifeStream's CEO and president, Dr. Rick Axelrod. "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."

LifeStream is low on all blood types, but especially Group O blood -- which has the highest demand. It continues to struggle to fill its blood drive calendar, which is currently booked at 50% of normal levels.

According to Axelrod, the nonprofit typically receives 25 percent of its annual donations via high school and college campus blood drives, all of which have been canceled through the end of the year due to COVID-19. The canceled drives, which were scheduled between September and December, equate to 7,500 pints of lost blood, Axelrod said.

During the first few weeks of the coronavirus outbreak, protective stay-at-home orders forced the cancellation of more than 80 LifeStream blood drives throughout Southern California, resulting in an additional 5,000 pints of blood effectively lost from mid-March through the end of May.

Potential donors must wear face coverings while donating, have their temperatures checked and complete a review of possible COVID-19 symptoms. They must be at least 15 years old, weigh at least 115 pounds and be free from infections or illnesses.

Donors must not be at risk of having AIDS or hepatitis, and those under 17 years old must bring written consent from a parent.

Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 800-879-4484 or online at www.lstream.org.