California Nonprofits Day celebrated its seventh anniversary on June 8, honoring 109 outstanding organizations selected by legislators from across California for their commendable contributions to their communities.

In the Inland Empire’s District 47, LifeStream Blood Bank was named 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes.

“We are honored to be among the wonderful nonprofits across California working to better our communities,” said Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream president, CEO and medical director. “It is through the support of legislators like Assemblymember Reyes, who care about the health of their community, that enables nonprofits like LifeStream to bring hope and lifesaving services to people in need.”

According to the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), which serves as a partner for this program, the awards were created to bring attention and recognition to outstanding nonprofits, to collectively illustrate the remarkable diversity and vibrancy of California’s nonprofit community, and to give legislators a way to highlight nonprofits that are often overlooked.

“Nonprofit organizations play such a critical role in our communities, and the last two years of the pandemic have only served to highlight that,” noted CalNonprofits CEO Jan Masaoka. “California Nonprofit of the Year gives elected officials the opportunity to shine a light on the important work nonprofits are doing in their districts and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of [these organizations] in our communities.”

LifeStream Blood Bank has been serving our communities since 1951 and now provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals in six counties. To fulfill patient needs, they must collect 500 blood donations daily. To make this mission a reality, LifeStream has fixed-site donor centers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, Victorville, Murrieta, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Placentia and Hemet, where volunteer blood donors can give the gift of life. LifeStream also conducts about 1,700 mobile blood drives annually at schools, churches, businesses, government offices, country clubs, hospitals and service clubs.

LifeStream is currently facing declining collections and those who can donate are encouraged to do so. To fulfill patient need, they must collect at least 500 blood donations daily. “The summer months are some of the most difficult for blood collection, and we are battling a growing deficit,” said Dr. Axelrod. “If collections continue to decline, it will impact our ability to fulfill our shipments to area hospitals. We are asking healthy individuals to please donate and help our fellow community members who are in desperate need.”

LifeStream donation centers are located in La Quinta at 46660 Washington Street (760) 777.8844 and in Rancho Mirage at the 42390 Bob Hope Drive, Suite 1B (760) 797.8496. For information and to schedule an appointment, visit www.lstream.org.