Urgent call for blood donations goes out from LifeStream

There’s a dire need for blood in Palm Springs and elsewhere in the Coachella Valley, and blood bank staff are desperately trying to get the words out. 

Driving the news: Michael McDaniel, a director at LifeStream Blood Bank, appeared before the Palm Springs City Council last week, pleading for volunteers to step forward during what amounts to the most challenging month for blood collection.

• McDaniel said there is currently only a two-day supply of blood on the shelves, meaning some surgeries may have to be postponed and that we are not ready for any type of mass trauma event.
   
• “We can’t make blood in a lab,” he added. “It must come from people volunteering to donate.”
   
• There’s a blood drive planned at the Mizell Center on June 25.

Bigger picture: every two seconds in America, somebody needs blood. When even one person donates, it can help multiple patients.

• Following collection, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets are separated, stored and distributed separately. 

Find a complete list of donation centers and their hours of operation here.