Desert Healthcare District Funds Lifes Stream Prostate Cancer Treatment Program through Advanced Technology Purchase

From Desert Healthcare District:

COACHELLLA VALLEY, CA – Desert Healthcare District, a local government agency that provides health-related community grants, recently approved funding to LifeStream Prostate Cancer Treatment Program to purchase new advanced cellular collection technology. The grant will allow LifeStream to expand its “autologous cellular immunotherapy” program, an FDA-approved treatment regimen proven to prolong the lives of prostate cancer patients.

The apheresis machine, Optia, collects mononuclear cellular products from men with advanced forms of prostate cancer, which are then processed and transformed into cancer-fighting cells that are returned to the patient. Optia uses the patient’s own immune cells and reprograms them to attack existing cancer cells. This treatment is proven to prolong the lives of these men.

“We’re appreciative of Desert Healthcare District enabling us to make this technology more convenient for use by Valley patients in support of our mission for helping save lives,” said Dr. Rick Axelrod, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director. “The District has a long-established record of dedication to positive patient outcomes, and we are grateful for its support of this program.”

Before the purchase of Optia, these collection services were only offered at LifeStream’s San Bernardino facility. As a result of the District’s grant approval, LifeStream will be able to expand its Prostate Cancer Treatment Program in the area and serve more patients in Coachella Valley.

“We were unanimous in our support for LifeStream and its Prostate Cancer Treatment Program,” said William J. Grimm, D.O., President of Desert Healthcare District’s Board of Directors. “The purchase of this advanced technology will allow LifeStream to impact and improve the lives of many cancer patients here in the District.”

LifeStream was established by the medical societies of San Bernardino and Riverside counties and has been helping to save lives by connecting donors and patients through the gift of blood since June 1951.

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