As a result of government mandates, by the end of 2021, LifeStream Blood Bank needs to “retire” two bloodmobiles that do not meet vehicle emissions standards. New bloodmobiles cost approximately $250,000 each.

From February through April, LifeStream Blood Bank held a grassroots campaign throughout the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire which asked blood donors, the general public, several hundred small businesses, a few large retail partners, major businesses, and community foundations to support its goal of collecting donations which would help fund the purchase of two new bloodmobiles.

LifeStream kept “the ask” reasonable. Individuals were asked to make a $2 donation. Businesses were asked to donate $20, $200, or $2,000 based on the size of the business. LifeStream also secured a $50,000 matching grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Additional campaign sponsors and supporters included Desert Oasis Healthcare, Desert Care Network, and Eisenhower Health.

Working closely with the LifeStream team, Hunter|Johnsen developed radio and print PSAs, various collateral materials, and secured several media partners, including Inland Empire’s iHeartMedia and, in the Coachella Valley, The Desert Sun and several Alpha Media Palm Springs stations. With more than 1,000,000 media impressions, the 2 for 2 campaign was also promoted to more than 300,000 blood donors through a combination of ongoing emails, social media posts, and signage at LifeStream’s nine (9) blood donor centers.

The campaign did exceedingly well, raising an impressive $360,000 – thanks to the generosity of donors, businesses, community organizations, medical partners, foundations, participating media, and residents in the many communities they serve.

LifeStream bloodmobiles are essential for them to reach the community and to collect blood donations every day to help patients in need. LifeStream collects a majority of blood products to assist hospital patients at remote locations including schools, churches, hospitals, businesses and government offices. LifeStream is an independent, nonprofit blood bank that is the exclusive provider of blood products and services to all Coachella Valley-area hospitals, and has nine donor centers throughout Southern California. For more information or to set an appointment to give the gift of life, call 800-879-4484 or visit www.LStream.org.