Resident Donates 100 Gallons of Blood in Lifetime

SAN BERNARDINO>> With his platelets donations, Ron Prickett, a 79-year-old resident of Calimesa, became the 11th LifeStream donor to reach 100 gallons in lifetime blood donations on Aug. 1. Prickett was feted by his LifeStream “family” during a ceremony at the San Bernardino Donor Center. In a press release, Prickett said he did not begin donating blood regularly until reaching his 50’s. However, on Aug. 1, he entered into a rare circle of giving by becoming the 11th LifeStream donor to reach 100 gallons in lifetime blood donations. An upcoming LifeStream community blood drive will be held Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Hospital of San Bernardino, located at 1805 Medical Center Dr. Donors will receive a $5 In-N-Out gift card and will also have the opportunity to receive free cholesterol screenings. They will also receive Gift of Life Donor Loyalty points that may be redeemed in the online donor store at www.LStream.org. Adults between the ages of 18-44 years old can register for the Be The Match bone marrow screening at all donor locations free of charge. Healthy individuals at least 15 years of age may donate blood. Those who are 15 and 16 years old must provide LifeStream with written parental consent. Parent consent forms are available at any donor center, community blood drive or at www.LStream.org. All prospective donors should be free of infections or illness, weigh at least 110 pounds and not be at risk for AIDS or hepatitis. Donors receive a free mini-physical as part of the donation process. Donating blood takes about an hour, yet gives someone a lifetime. For information on blood donation or to set an appointment, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.