Local Residents Asked To Help Combat Nationwide Blood Shortage

From LStream: The nation’s community blood supply is struggling to keep up with hospitals’ demand, and LifeStream blood bank is urging local residents act by setting aside as little as 1 hour to make a critically needed blood donation.

All blood types and donation types are needed. Blood donors must be at least 15 years of age (those under 18 years require a signed LifeStream parental consent form), weigh at least 110 pounds, and feel well. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments are suggested and may be made by calling 800-879-4484 or visiting
LStream.org.

The nation experienced a seasonal decline in blood donations during end-of-summer vacations and the Labor Day holiday weekend. Now, with Hurricane Florence bearing down on the East Coast, blood donations there are sharply declining as people prepare to evacuate, further affecting the nation’s blood supply. Current forecasts anticipate a significant recovery period following landfall, which also will impact blood availability.

All LifeStream fixed-site donor centers are open 7 days per week as follows: San Bernardino, 384 W. Orange Show Road: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Riverside, 4006 Van Buren Blvd.: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Ontario, 1959 E. Fourth St.: 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Victorville, 12520 Business Center Drive, Bldg. G: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

La Quinta, 79-215 Corporate Center Drive: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Murrieta, 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To locate a nearby mobile blood drive, call 800-879-4484 or go to LStream.org LifeStream supplies blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals.

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