In February 2013, law enforcement closed in on an armed murder suspect in the mountains of San Bernardino County. National coverage escalated; updates became more frequent and dramatic. Suddenly, near a cabin, the suspect opened fire. Two San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies fell; one was mortally wounded. Deputy Alex Collins was alive and fighting for his life. Fellow deputies pulled both victims to a waiting medical evacuation helicopter. Twenty minutes away, emergency staff at Loma Linda University Medical Center waited, preparing for an unknown number of injured.
LifeStream blood donors were there too. Their generous contributions from three, four, five days before were readied.
Upon arrival, Deputy Collins required extensive care for facial, arm and leg wounds. Emergency personnel and surgeons performed expertly, urgently, yet calmly. After surviving the initial trauma, Deputy Collins needed two dozen follow-up surgeries.
Every time, LifeStream donors were “there” when needed. Det. Collins and his family are forever grateful.