San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Supports Public Health Efforts by Hosting Blood Drives

More than 130 units of blood collected so far for patients in need

HIGHLAND Calif., (April 29, 2020) – The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians hosted three blood drives this month to support public health efforts in partnership with The American Red Cross and LifeStream Blood Bank at the Bear Springs Events Center. These three blood drives resulted in the collection of more than 130 units of blood.

“San Manuel has always been an incredible partner in our disaster response efforts, locally and across the nation,” said Yevette Baysinger, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of San Bernardino. “San Manuel’s blood drive showcases another vital way they continue to support the Red Cross mission. Thanks to San Manuel’s blood drive, patients will be able to receive the lifesaving blood they need.”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. One blood donation can save up to three lives. Due to the success of the first blood drive with The American Red Cross on April 6, another has been scheduled for May 14, 2020.

In partnership with LifeStream, two blood drives were held on April 10 and on April 23, 2020, where more than 80 pints of blood were collected. “We’re grateful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for hosting LifeStream at this unprecedented time,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president/CEO and medical director. “We value our partnership with the Tribe and look forward to continuing working toward our shared goal of community well-being.” A third blood drive with LifeStream is scheduled for May 5, 2020.

Thanks to the many who have given blood and scheduled upcoming appointments, the Red Cross and LifeStream have been able to meet immediate patient needs. During this uncertain time, individuals are encouraged to keep scheduled blood donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a steady supply throughout this pandemic.

If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling LifeStream at 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.

About the American Red Cross Southern California Region:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to disaster response, blood collection, health and safety training and international services support, the Southern California Region also provides nutritional counseling through the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org.

About LifeStream

LifeStream Blood Bank is a local, nonprofit blood bank that provides blood products and services to more than 80 southern California hospitals and medical facilities in six counties. To fulfill patient need, LifeStream must collect 500 blood donations daily. LifeStream is an affiliate member of Vitalant, a national blood services provider in 40 states. To make this mission a reality, LifeStream has fixed-site donor centers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, La Quinta, Murrieta and Rancho Mirage where generous, volunteer blood donors can give the gift of life. To further ensure the convenience and comfort of donors, LifeStream conducts about 1,700 mobile blood drives annually throughout our service area at schools, churches, businesses, government offices, hospitals and service clubs. For more information, and to set an appointment to give “the gift of life,” call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.

About San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally-recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As descendants of the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians: https://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov