LifeStream Blood Bank encouraging donations to assist Maui wildfire victims

LifeStream Blood Bank is encouraging all eligible donors in the Coachella Valley and Southern California to donate blood to assist wildfire victims in Hawaii.

The blood center said it has sent 50 pints of plasma to the Blood Bank of Hawaii to support those impacted by the Lahaina fire, which began Tuesday on Maui. At least 55 people have died from the wildfire, as of Friday. Thousands of people have been displaced, more than 1,700 structures have been destroyed and the historic town of Lahaina was leveled.

LifeStream said in a Facebook post: “Maui hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, including those suffering from burns. Plasma is required to heal burns. In a region susceptible to brush fires, plasma always needs to be readily available for our frontline firefighters.”

The local blood bank is providing resources despite facing a massive blood shortage of its own. In an Aug. 3 press release, LifeStream President/CEO and medical director Dr. Rick Axelrod said the summer months have put an “enormous strain” on the community’s blood supply, and “our appointment numbers are not where they need to be to fulfill hospital orders.”

First-time blood donors will receive a $50 electronic gift card now through Sept. 4, and will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to see singer Beyoncé perform at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sept. 1.

Donation centers are located in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, Murrieta, Placentia and Hemet, and mobile drives can be found at giftoflife.lstream.org/donor/schedules/geo. 

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome at donor centers and mobile blood drives. Donors must be at least 15 (15- and 16-year-olds require a signed parental consent form), and donors ages 15 to 18 must meet a height requirement. All prospective donors should be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and present a current photo ID. Additional eligibility requirements can be found at lstream.org/give-blood/who-can-donate/

To make an appointment, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.