Blood Platelet Donations Urgently Needed Across IE, SoCal

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — The Inland Empire's LifeStream Blood Bank is appealing to the public for platelet donations due to the growing demand for blood products during the ongoing critical blood shortage.

"The community platelet supply has been at dangerously low levels for several months," said Dr. Rick Axelrod, 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. If everyone who is eligible would donate at least three times a year, we could avoid this situation. We are asking healthy individuals to please donate platelets now and consider becoming regular donors to help keep the local platelet supply at sufficient levels."

According to the American Red Cross, "Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days and new donors are needed every day."

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome at all LifeStream donor centers and mobile blood drives. To make an appointment and for a list of LifeStream donor center locations and mobile blood drives, visit LStream.org or call 800-879-4484.

Donors must be at least 15 years of age (15- and 16-year-olds require a signed parental consent form), weigh at least 115 pounds, present current photo ID and be in good health.

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

Platelet donors can also give via the American Red Cross. Find a drive here.