You could be the first person to give someone a second chance at life.
Who Can Donate Blood?
A full 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. The unfortunate fact, however, is that, nationally, only 5 percent actually do. Locally, in Southern California, only 3 percent of those eligible actually donate. To donate the gift of life, you must:- be at least 16 years of age (those who are 16 years of age need a written LifeStream parental consent and those who celebrated their 76th birthday need an annual consent from their physician) Click here to download a High School Donor Brochure.
- weigh at least 110 pounds
- have blood pressure between 90/50 and 180/100 with a regular pulse rate between 50 and 100 beats per minute
- have no history of Hepatitis (age 11 and older)
- be free of high-risk behavior/infectious disease including high-risk sexual activity and/or IV drug use
- not have received a tattoo within the past 12 months (body piercings are okay as long as sterile needles were used and there are no signs of infection)
- provide specific destinations and time periods, if you have traveled outside the country.
How Often Can You Donate Blood
Amazingly, your body quickly replenishes any blood that you donate. In fact, a healthy adult can donate whole blood every 56 days - or approximately 8 weeks. Plasma can be donated as often as once a month. Platelets can be given every 2 weeks up to 24 times each year. When you give through automation, also known as apheresis, you may be able to save more lives more often.The Donation Process
Making a donation of life-giving blood takes less than one hour. We include a brief medical history, check your blood pressure, pulse, temperature and your body's iron level.
Only sterile, sealed and completely disposable materials are used once and then safely discarded.
IMPORTANT: You cannot get AIDS or any other disease by donating blood. Period.
There are four easy steps to becoming a red-blooded hero and give the gift of life:- REGISTRATION
Sign in with our friendly receptionist and complete a brief health history questionnaire (approx. 15 minutes).
- MINI-PHYSICAL
We will give you a "mini-physical" to review your medical history, check your blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature and iron levels (approx. 15 minutes).
- BLOOD DONATION
Your life-giving blood is drawn by a skilled medical professional using new, sterile and disposable materials (approx. 15 minutes).
- COOKIES AND JUICE FOR ALL!
You're already done! And, in addition to the wonderful feeling of satisfaction you have from knowing that your blood will help save someone's life, you'll enjoy cookies, drinks and healthy snacks while relaxing in our canteen area.
How Will You Feel After Donating Blood?
In a word, great! After all, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped to save someone's life by simply donating blood.
What to Bring With You
When donating blood, please be sure to bring a current photo ID, preferably a valid Driver License. If you don't have one of these, another form of ID with your photo on it is necessary.
What to Eat Before Donating Blood
Before making a life-giving blood donation, you should eat at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of liquids. You might also increase your consumption of "iron rich" foods a few days before making a blood donation because only donors with good iron levels are able to give the gift of life.
Post Donation Instructions (English) (Español)
In addition to convenient mobile donation centers that come directly to businesses, churches, schools, government buildings or other local civic facilities during our community blood drives, we encourage you to make a lifesaving donation and become a red-blooded hero at one of our five donor centers listed here.
San Bernardino
384 West Orange Show Road
I-215 Freeway to Orange Show Road
909.885.6503
Google Map
Riverside
4006 Van Buren Boulevard
Corner of Van Buren and Garfield
951.687.2530
Google Map
Ontario
1959 East Fourth Street
Vineyard Shopping Center
Fourth and Vineyard
909.987.3158
Google Map
High Desert
11941 Hesperia Road, Hesperia
1- blocks south of Bear Valley Road
760.949.6344
Google Map
La Quinta
Community Blood Donor Center
79-215 Corporate Centre Drive
North of Hwy 111, east of Adams
760.777.8844
Google Map
Blood donations are used every day for surgery patients, cancer patients, accident victims, bone marrow recipients, burn patients and organ transplant recipients, just to name a few of the beneficiaries.
A heart surgery patient
needs up to 6 units of red blood cells and 1 platelet transfusion.
A liver transplant recipient
needs up to 20 units of red blood cells, 25 units of plasma and 1 platelet transfusion.
A cancer patient
needs up to 8 platelet transfusions per week.
A sickle cell anemia patient
needs 2 to 10 units of red blood cells per treatment.
A marrow transplant recipient
needs up to 20 units of red blood cells and 25 platelet transfusions.
A trauma victim
May need up to 50 units of red blood cells.
Cancer patients account for almost 20 percent of all blood transfusions given.
One in seven people will need a blood transfusion sometime in their lifetime. Blood needs to be donated, tested, ready and available for transfusion before it's needed.
The Facts About Blood
How Much Blood Does Your Body Have?
- Blood makes up about 7 percent of a person's weight.
- An adult body of average weight has between 12 - 14 pints of blood.
- A 110-pound teenager has around 7 pints of blood.
- A 40-pound child has around 2 to 3 pints.
One Donation Can Save Several Lives
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One pint of blood can be separated into three primary components which can help up to several people in need:
Red Blood Cells - carry oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. These cells are needed for accident victims and surgery patients. They can be refrigerated and stored for only up to 42 days.
Plasma - is 90 percent water, makes up 55 percent of blood volume and is needed for organ, burn and shock patients. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to one year.
Platelets - are an essential factor in blood clotting and give patients with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live. These can be stored at room temperature no longer than 5 days.
- All three of these important components that make up a pint of blood are made in the body's bone marrow.
- About 1 billion red blood cells are found in just 2 to 3 drops of whole blood. For every 600 red blood cells there are approximately 40 platelets and just 1 white cell.
- Nationally, more men than women donate blood. Locally, more women than men donate! When was the last time you gave blood?
- The average patient who needs a transfusion uses about 3 pints of blood and blood components.
Replenishment Program - Donate to Help Someone in Need!
When a relative or friend becomes ill or is hospitalized, you want to help, and may not know how. You can show how much you care by making a blood donation in their name. Your gift of blood will help the community blood supply to be there when someone else is in need. When you donate blood in the name of a special person, you will be given a greeting card to send to the patient whose blood usage you are replenishing. The card lets the patient know you were thinking of them and donated blood in their name.
What's Your Type?
There are four blood groups: type O, A, B and AB.
There are eight blood types which include: type O positive/O negative, type A positive/A negative, type B positive/B negative and type AB positive/AB negative.
Who Has It?
Type O positive is found in about 1 person in 3.
Type O negative is found in about 1 person in 15.
Type A positive is found in about 1 person in 3.
Type A negative is found in about 1 person in 16.
Type B positive is found in about 1 person in 12.
Type B negative is found in about 1 person in 67.
Type AB positive is found in about 1 person in 29.
Type AB negative is found in about 1 person in 167.
But the rarest type of blood is the type that is not available when YOU need it!
Type "O negative" blood is often called the universal blood type because patients of all blood types can receive type O negative red cells. This is the type that is transfused to patients in an emergency situation.
Patients with type "AB positive" blood are often called universal recipients because they can receive red cells of any blood type. And, type AB plasma and platelets are universal in their ability to help any patient.
After blood is drawn, it is typed for ABO group (blood type) and RH type (positive or negative), tested to ensure its safety for patients (see screening tests performed below), separated into the necessary components and distributed to local medical facilities for patients-in-need.
Screening tests:
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg)
- Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)
- Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti - HCV)
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody (anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2)
- HIV p24 antigen
- HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibody (anti-HTLV-I and anti-HTLV-II)
- Serologic test for syphilis
- Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT)
Be a Super Hero - Organize a Blood Drive!
There is no greater way to give of yourself than to donate blood. Blood drives may also be sponsored by high schools, universities, churches, businesses, communities or civic groups.
LifeStream will gladly bring a mobile unit to your location and will work with you to help coordinate, recruit and schedule a successful blood drive.
To arrange a blood drive or to receive a free blood drive information packet, just call 1.800.TRY GIVING (1.800.879.4484).
National Marrow Donor Program
LifeStream is a proud member of the National Marrow Donor Program which helps people who need a lifesaving marrow or blood stem cell transplant. The Marrow Donor Program connects patients, doctors, donors and researchers to the vital resources they need to help more people live longer and healthier lives.
For more information on this important program, call 909.885.6503 extension 404.