LifeStream Blood Bank names Robert Sanchez as new president/CEO

LifeStream Blood Bank announced Monday that Robert Sanchez has been named its new president and chief executive officer.

Sanchez previously served as the vice president of the central United States division and the president of the northeast business unit for Biomat USA, Grifols, a plasma donation center.

He is the sixth president and CEO in LifeStream’s 72 years as an independent blood center serving Southern California, including the Coachella Valley. He succeeds Dr. Rick Axelrod, who retired from the position Monday.

“I’m honored to join the LifeStream family and humbled to lead such a wonderful organization that partners with volunteer donors to save lives,” Sanchez said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing Dr. Axelrod’s great work and growing our donor community to fulfill our lifesaving mission.”

Sanchez is an Army veteran with more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and for-profit health care sectors. He has held director and executive-level positions in administration, donor services, marketing and public relations with independent blood centers and the American Red Cross, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to have Robert join LifeStream,” LifeStream’s Board of Directors Chair Raymond Prospero said in a statement. “His blood banking and leadership experience will help LifeStream’s mission of connecting donors and patients through the gift of blood, reaching even more people in Southern California. The board looks forward to working with him.”

LifeStream has donor centers located in La Quinta and Rancho Mirage in the Coachella Valley. Mobile drives are also available and can be found at giftoflife.lstream.org/donor/schedules/zip 

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