LifeStream Blood Bank Tuesday announced a series of upcoming mobile drives, including four set to take place next week in the Coachella Valley, in light of a severe need for blood donations.

Starting on June 2 and again on June 4, LifeStream will set up at Indio Police Department headquarters at 81678 Avenue 46, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

On June 3, another blood drive is scheduled at Stater Bros., 1717 E. Vista Chino in Palm Springs. The drive will begin at 8 a.m. and wrap up at 1 p.m.

The following day, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., LifeStream will conduct a blood drive at Little Church of the Desert, 6079 Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.

During the first few weeks of the coronavirus outbreak, protective stay-at-home orders forced the cancellation of more than 80 of its mobile blood drives throughout Southern California, LifeStream spokesman Don Escalante said.

About 5,000 pints of blood was effectively lost from mid-March through the end of May, he said. Blood collected through donations to LifeStream flows to more than 80 hospitals in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties.

Potential donors must be at least 15 years old, weigh at least 115 pounds and be free from infections or illnesses. Donors must also not be at risk of having AIDS or hepatitis. Donors under 17 years old must bring written consent from a parent.

For appointments, call 800-879-4484 or visit www.lstream.org.

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