Grant Aims To Close Blood Donation Shortfall In Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation presented a $25,000 grant to LifeStream Blood Bank that will be used to help close the gap on the annual 4,000-pint shortfall of blood donations in the Coachella Valley, it was announced this week.

As the exclusive blood bank for all valley hospitals, LifeStream aims to reach its blood collection goal this year after opening of a second valley location in Rancho Mirage in October, officials said.

“The new blood bank facility is very welcoming and in a central location, which should make donating blood even easier for Coachella Valley residents,” said Catharine Reed, vice president of charitable programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.

The grant funds will be used to purchase donor beds, medical equipment, blood testing supplies, automated blood collection machines, computers and printers for the new Rancho Mirage facility.

LifeStream’s La Quinta facility has been in operation since 2008. LifeStream also holds about 200 mobile blood drives at various locations throughout the Coachella Valley each year.

The Coachella Valley LifeStream centers are located at 42390 Bob Hope Drive, Suite 1B Rancho Mirage, and 79-215 Corporate Centre Dr., La Quinta. Hours of operation vary at each site. For more information about LifeStream and donating blood, go to lstream.org or call 800-879-4484.