O positive, O negative blood donors critically needed

The shortage of O positive and O negative blood is placing patients’ lives in jeopardy as it hamstrings local first responders and surgeons in their ability to treat patients in need.

O positive and O negative blood are the blood types most in demand on a day-to-day basis as they are the most transfusion-compatible.

LifeStream Blood Bank provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals. Residents with O positive and O negative blood are urged to come forward now to ensure planned procedures and operations that require transfused blood can take place.

Locations and hours for LifeStream donor centers follow:

San Bernardino, 384 W. Orange Show Road: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday; 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Riverside, 4006 Van Buren Blvd.: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Ontario, 1959 E. Fourth St.: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday,   Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Sunday.

Victorville, 12520 Business Center Drive, Bldg. G: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Thursday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Quinta, 79-215 Corporate Centre Drive: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily except Wednesday, when hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Murrieta, 40365 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.

Walk-ins are welcome at all sites.

Donors must be at least 15 years of age (15- and 16-year-olds require a signed parental consent form; the form is available at all LifeStream locations); weigh at least 110 pounds, present current photo ID, and be in good health.

LifeStream has a number of promotional giveaways and sweepstakes in place; go to LStream.org for updated information. For an appointment and to locate convenient mobile blood drives, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.