BAKERSFIELD, CA – Nov. 18, 2024 – Mercy Air, the leading air medical provider in California, is partnering with Houchin Community Blood Bank (HCBB) and Dignity Health Memorial Hospital for an upcoming blood drive on Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 420 34^th Street, Bakersfield, CA. 

“We were excited to team up with Houchin Community Blood Bank and Dignity Health Memorial Hospital,” said Mercy Air 15 Flight Paramedic and Base Outreach Coordinator Justin Nomellini. “Given blood shortages across the state, we are grateful to help bring awareness to this critical resource.” 

The availability of blood is especially important to Mercy Air as their crews carry whole blood on every flight. This capability allows Mercy Air clinicians to administer it at the scene of a traumatic event or in flight, while preserving hospital stock. Having whole blood readily available, coupled with rapid air transport, can tremendously improve the outcomes of critically ill or injured patients, making the need for a strong blood supply so critical. 

“We appreciate the partnership with Mercy Air to help increase awareness and drive the need for donors to increase our blood supply,” said HCBB Account Coordinator Gina Lidgett. “Every two seconds, someone in our community urgently needs blood transfusions to survive, and a donation can be the lifeline they desperately require.”  

All successful donors will receive a $10 Wiki’s voucher and be entered to win a $250 Wiki dinner package. Additionally, they’ll be entered to win tickets to Holiday Lamplights at Pioneer Village. To streamline the donation experience, visit the HCBB website or call (661) 323-4222. 

The Mercy Air 15 base is one of various locations under the Mercy Air program, which was established in 1989 by six visionaries who believed critical air medical care was a necessity for the San Bernardino community. The air medical program is celebrating 35 years of lifesaving service throughout California and Nevada. The Mercy Air team provides support to first responders and hospitals, offering the community critical care 24/7/365 and responding to emergency medical and trauma events including heart attacks and strokes, burns, and other critical ailments and incidents—serving as a flying intensive care unit.  

The clinical team is extensively trained through Air Methods Ascend, an in-person and online training program that allows clinicians to perform at the top of their licensure, providing the highest level of prehospital care, and enabling clinicians to work in lockstep across the region.