City Touts June 10 Blood Drive in Redlands

City of Redlands officials are touting a blood drive in June outside the Redlands Police Annex at the corner of Vine and Cajon.

Organized by the nonprofit LifeStream, formerly the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday June 10.

All healthy residents are invited to donate, city spokesman Carl Baker said in an announcement Wednesday May 29.

Each donor will receive a discount coupon to Knott's Soak City Palm Springs, a $10 Lowe's or Home Depot gift card while supplies last, a free cholesterol screening, and "Gift of Life" loyalty program points toward the LifeStream online store at www.LStream.org, Baker said.

"Blood donors must be at least 15 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health and free of illness or infections on the day of the donation," Baker said. "Donors who are 15 or 16 must have a signed LifeStream parental consent form."

Donors need to bring photo ID and they should eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation.

"It is also important to decrease the intake of caffeinated and sugary beverages prior to giving blood as they cause dehydration," Baker said.

Donating blood takes about one hour, Baker said. 

"Donors may also be screened as bone marrow donors," Baker said. "Potential bone marrow donors must be between the ages of 18 and 44, be willing to donate to any patient in need and meet health guidelines."

Anyone between the ages of 45 and 60 who wants to help can do so online with a $100 tax-deductible contribution, Baker said.

Appointments are recommended to keep the donor lines moving. To schedule an appointment, contact Tommi Ng at (909) 798-7514 or by email at tng@cityofredlands.org.

LifeStream serves more than 50 medical facilities in Southern California. For more info about LifeStream call 1-800-879-4484 or visit www.lstream.org.