LifeStream, Children’s Fund Team for Blood/toy Drive

Help save lives and stuff the bus!

SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – Help save lives and stuff the bus!

LifeStream blood bank and Children’s Fund invite the Inland Empire community to help local hospital patients in need while making the holidays memorable for underserved San Bernardino County children.

LifeStream will collect lifesaving blood donations Sunday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside Celebration Hall at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center at the north end of Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga.

All blood donors receive a $15 Victoria Gardens gift card.

Parked just a few steps away, in the courtyard, will be a festively decorated LifeStream bus where new, unwrapped toys may be placed to be distributed by Children’s Fund.

“In this season of giving, LifeStream is proud to partner with Children’s Fund to help put smiles on the faces of local underprivileged children,” said Frederick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president and CEO. 

“As this is a very challenging time of year to match community blood supplies with patient need, we urge our community to join us at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center to give the greatest of gifts this holiday season. And let’s ‘stuff the bus’ for those kids!” 

“Children’s Fund is excited to be collaborating with LifeStream, a nonprofit doing such important, life-saving work in our community,” said Dr. Ciriaco “Cid” Pinedo, Children’s Fund president and CEO.

“Providing toys during the holidays for children is important work as well.  Our society teaches children that when they are ‘good’ they will receive a toy at Christmas.  But what happens to the self-worth of a child whose parents can’t afford a gift? We do this campaign every year to ensure that children know that they are ‘good,’ that they are remembered, and that they are loved.”

Blood donors may walk-in but appointments are suggested and may be made by calling 800-879-4484 or visiting LStream.org. Donors must be at least 15 years of age (donors under 18 require a signed parental consent form; forms are available onsite), weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well, and present photo ID.

Donors should maintain their regular meal schedules and increase their fluid intake (water is best) in the 24 hours prior to donating.

LifeStream is a local, nonprofit blood center that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals. For more information, call 800-879-4484 or go to LStream.org.

For more information on Children’s Fund or how you can give children hope for brighter tomorrows, please visit childrensfundonline.org or call 909-379-0000.