News & Columns > News Team > Bloodmobile Rolled Into Running Springs Friday

Bloodmobile Rolled Into Running Springs Friday

By W. Edward Clark

By News Team
Friday, September 5, 2008

Lake Arrowhead, CA - The Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties invited all healthy donors to give the "Gift of Life," September 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Mountain Bank (2625 Whispering Pines Drive) in Running Springs.

The Bloodmobile from the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be visiting the mountain. Call (800) 879-4484 for details. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"The demand for blood never stops. In fact, right here in Southern California, we need to collect at least 500 donations daily to ensure that patients in hospitals get the life saving treatments they need," said Joseph W. Dunn, Ph.D., the Blood Bank's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Mary Kay Plock, public relations manager for the Blood Bank, told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net those with O-negative and B-negative blood types are especially encouraged to donate.

"There is a constant need for O-negative blood; this blood type can be given to 100 percent of the population. So collecting this type is always vital. B-negative is a fairly rare blood type, so we always encourage this blood type to come in and donate," she said.

All prospective donors must be free of infections or illnesses, weigh at least 110 pounds and are not at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. There is very little discomfort associated with giving blood and the risk of contracting any illnesses is next to impossible.

Donors 16 years of age must provide the Blood Bank with written parental consent. Parental consent forms are available at any donor center or community blood drive venue.

You can give the "Gift of Life" by donating blood and get credit as part of the Donor Loyalty Program. (Photo by Blood Bank.)

Donating blood takes about an hour and participants receive a free cholesterol test and "donor" points as part of the "Gift of Life" Donor Loyalty Program. These points can be redeemed for shirts, caps, health screenings and other items through the Blood Bank's online store.

Plock added that while the donor points are a great incentive to give blood, donors can take pride in fact that they are heroes and are giving another human being the greatest gift of all…the gift of life.

Bloodmobiles will also be available this month at several additional locations.

• Wednesday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bear Valley Community Hospital in Big Bear Lake.

• Thursday, September 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead.

• Monday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ye Olde Barber Shoppe in Crestline.

For additional information, please contact the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties at (800) 879-4484 or visit http://www.bbsbrc.org.