Nationwide tragedies result in blood shortages
49-dead in Orlando in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, then heartbreak last night in Dallas, and of course San Bernardino. Tragedy continuing to happen on our own soil. With our country facing tough times, the message at today’s blood drive becomes louder and clearer than ever.
“We see it, we know the need for blood whether it be shootings, stabbings, traffic accidents, mass casualties incidents. The recent events that have happened elsewhere in the nation have brought it to life here for other people.” Cal Fire’s Beau Clevenger said.
“We are looking at a shortage. There is no where to turn because other blood banks are short as well. The terrible tragedy in Orlando a few weeks ago underscored the nation wide shortage. The local blood bank that serves Orlando actually came to Life Stream to ask if we can spare some blood product for them to help treat the wounded, and we couldn’t do so.” Don Ascalante, spokesmen for Life Stream said.
Today here at our station in Thousand Palms, we held our annual blood drive which brought many community members out to do their part.
“It just comes everyday, all the tragedy so everybody take time, be sure to love your family and tell the people that are important to you how much they mean to you.” Carrie Brooks of Palm Springs added.
Today’s blood drive leads right into the 9-city challenge that has all of our valley cities competing to be the 2016 biggest donor, beginning tomorrow.
“We ask each of the 9-cities in the valley to recruit as many donors as they can for their respective blood drives. At the end of the challenge we present a traveling trophy to one of the cities. Two years ago Palm Desert won the trophy and last year Indio took it away from them.”
