RIVERSIDE - The leader of an Inland Empire blood bank said today rapidly dwindling supplies are putting surgeries at risk and creating other complications for medical facilities in the region, prompting a year-end appeal for people to make blood donations.
"We have less than a one-day supply of red blood cells available, and several of our hospitals have no type O red blood cells on their shelves,'' LifeStream CEO Dr. Rick Axelrod said. "This is a national crisis, and we are unable to receive help from other blood centers.''
"Currently, we have a hospital with four patients waiting on surgeries because of the blood shortage,'' he said. "Hospitals will most likely have to cancel elective surgeries and may not have enough blood for severe traumas.''
LifeStream serves more than 80 Southern
