What is LifeForce?
A prehospital transfusion initiative that allows LifeShare to supply ambulances and helicopters with O Positive red blood cells for use in the field.
Why Prehospital Blood Transfusion Matters
When someone suffers severe trauma, every minute counts. Studies consistently show that for every minute delay in getting blood, the risk of death increases by 2-5%.
Prehospital transfusion in ambulances or air transport can mean the difference between life and death.
The Life-Saving Impact
- Mortality Reduction: Research shows that prehospital blood transfusion reduces death rates by as much as 40% for trauma patients.
- Early Intervention: Many trauma victims die before hospital arrival. Getting blood early helps stabilize vital signs, stops the downward spiral of blood loss, and improves outcomes.
- Civilian and Military Evidence: Civilian trials, echoing battlefield experience, demonstrate clear survival benefit when blood and blood products are available to be given before arrival to the hospital.
If you’re type O Positive, we’re calling on you to join the LifeForce!
LifeForce Information Hub
Why LifeShare Cares About Prehospital Blood Transfusions
As the primary blood provider serving Louisiana, as well as east Texas, south Arkansas, and surrounding regions, LifeShare plays a vital role in supporting prehospital blood programs by:
- Supplying Life‑Saving Blood
LifeShare’s LifeForce helps ensure ambulances and medical helicopters have immediate access to blood and blood products in emergencies. - Strengthening Local Survival Outcomes
When LifeShare supports EMS partners with prehospital blood, many critically injured patients gain extra vital minutes—dramatically improving chances of survival. - Type O Positive Donors Are Especially Important
- All blood types can receive Type O red blood cells. It can be used in urgent situations when the blood type of the patient is unknown.
- Demand outpaces supply, and America’s Blood Centers estimates tens of thousands of O units per year are needed to support prehospital programs nationwide.
Why Prehospital Transfusions Matter
- 🚑 Trauma patients can lose half their blood volume before arriving at the hospital.
- ⏱ For every minute without blood, mortality risk increases up to 5%.
- 💉 Administering blood in the field reduces trauma death rates by up to 40%.
Prehospital transfusion gives first responders another life-saving tool to help the most critical patients survive the ride.
Why You Should Become a Member of the LifeForce at LifeShare
- High Demand, Low Inventory: Type O donors are the only people who can supply these critically needed units, and the demand is constant and urgent.
- Immediate Impact in Emergencies: Your red blood cells will be used in ambulances or trauma helicopters before a patient reaches the hospital.
- Community Hero: As a LifeForce donor, with every donation you are providing direct support for trauma patients.
By increasing Type O Positive donations through programs like LifeShare’s LifeForce, you help maintain sustainable, life-saving care close to home.
What You Can Do
- Donate as a Type O Positive Donor via LifeShare’s LifeForce Program and commit to donating 3-4 times each year.
2. Encourage others to join—especially those eligible to donate Type O.
3. Spread awareness—tell your friends and family how prehospital transfusions save lives.
Real-World Impact
With your support, LifeShare can increase support of local EMS by ensuring ambulances and medical helicopters carry ready-to-use Type O red cells, to reduce preventable deaths before victims reach the hospital.
Maximizing Every Donation
About 20% of blood sent for prehospital use is transfused in the field — but because blood has an expiration date, if your donation approaches that limit, we don’t let it go to waste. It will be redirected to local hospitals, ensuring every drop supports patient care right here in your community.
Conclusion
Prehospital blood transfusion programs are transforming emergency care—saving lives, reducing trauma mortality by up to 40%, and giving critically injured patients a fighting chance before reaching the hospital.
This program depends on a stable supply of Type O donors and strong community blood centers like LifeShare. By joining the LifeForce today, as a Type O Positive donor, you become part of a vital lifeline—making critical minutes count. Your donation could truly be someone’s best chance at survival.
Will you step forward and help turn minutes into miracles?
Still have questions?
Ready to impact lives in your community?
