A health crisis can strike anyone at any time. In many emergency cases, medical treatment may involve a need for blood.
Since there is no central blood bank operating in the state of Jalisco, patients or their surrogates must arrange for qualified donors to travel to the hospital or clinic to give blood. The same procedure applies for elective surgical procedures.
In an effort to alleviate the difficulties and stress in dealing with such situations, the Lakeside Bloodline pilot project is being launched October 1 with the support of the Lake Chapala Society and Cruz Roja Chapala.
It operates as hot-line through which anyone needing blood donors simply dials (376) 766-1976 to leave a message on an answering machine. The caller should provide the following data: name, phone number, date when the blood is needed and the name of the medical facility where it is required. It is important to speak slowly and clearly.
Volunteers working with the project monitor the answering machine twice a day, and return the call within 24 hours to provide appropriate guidance. The Bloodline team manages a database of individuals who are able to give blood, as well as the specific requirements outlined by different hospitals.
After several months of planning, those spearheading Lakeside Bloodline recognize how complicated it is to coordinate this type of work. However, if the initiative succeeds, they are confident it can grow in scope and become a model that could spread statewide or even nationally.
Anyone interested in being listed as a potential blood donor may request full details by e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..