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                                 EXHIBIT 28.1

                             HEMACARE CORPORATION
                            4954 Van Nuys Boulevard
                            Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

                                 NEWS RELEASE 

     


- -- AT THE COMPANY --					
Hal I. Lieberman, President and CEO					
Sharon C.  Kaiser, Vice President and CFO		
JoAnn Stover, Director, Investor Relations				
  and Corporate Secretary						
818-986-3883							

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 1998                                    NASDAQ:HEMA


             HEMACARE CORPORATION ADOPTS SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS PLAN 
             AND ANNOUNCES 1997 FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL RESULTS 


     LOS ANGELES - - - - HemaCare Corporation announced the adoption of a
shareholder Rights Plan to protect the interests of the Company's
shareholders.  As a part of the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors declared
a dividend of rights to purchase shares of a new series of preferred stock or,
upon the occurance of certain events, the common stock of the Company or an
acquiror (the "Rights").  The dividend of one Right for each outstanding share
of the Company's common stock is payable on March 10, 1998 to shareholders of
record as of March 3, 1998. Until the occurrence of the events specified in
the Rights Plan, the Rights will be represented by the existing common stock
share certificates and will trade with the common stock. A summary of the Rights
Plan will be mailed to each shareholder of record on the dividend date. Further
information about the Rights Plan is available on Form 8-K, filed by the Company
on March 5, 1998.

     Alan C. Darlington, the Company's Interim Chairman commented, "The
Company's Board of Directors believes that the Rights Plan represents a sound
and reasonable means of protecting the best interests of HemaCare's shareholders
by assuring that all of the Company's shareholders receive fair and equal
treatment in the event of any proposed takeover of the Company. It is not
intended to prevent an acquisition of the Company on terms that are favorable to
all shareholders."  Mr. Darlington continued, "We are not aware of any proposed
takeovers or planned acquisitions at the present time."

     The Company also announced fourth quarter net income of $278,000, or
$0.04 per share, including a $173,000, or $.02 per share gain, on the disposal
of discontinued operations. This compares to net income of $8,000, or less than
$.01 per share, for fourth quarter of 1996. Annual 1997 net income was
$330,000, or $.05 per share, compared to a 1996 annual net loss of  $490,000,
or $.08 per share. The 1997 annual net income included a $293,000, or $.04 per
share gain on the disposal of discontinued operations, compared to a 1996
gain on the disposal of discontinued operations of $600,000, or $.09 per share.
Annual 1997 net income from continuing operations was $.01 per share, compared
to a 1996 annual loss from continuing operations of $.17 per share.

     The 1997 annual and fourth quarter net income resulted from the Company's
focus on its core competencies and reduction of losses from its St. Louis-based
operations which were sold in August 1997. According to Mr. Darlington, HemaCare
is committed to building on its strengths and to developing a business strategy
which is responsive to the ongoing challenges in today's healthcare marketplace.
                                     - more -
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Each of HemaCare's operations is being reviewed for its ability to meet these
challenges and provide value to the Company's shareholders."  Mr. Darlington
commented further, "The Board of Directors is evaluating growth opportunities
which leverage HemaCare's existing assets and complement the Company's existing,
profitable operations."

     As previously reported on Form 10-Q filed November 14, 1997, the Company's
common stock is listed on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market ("Nasdaq"). On February 23,
1998, the new minimum bid price requirements contained in NASD Marketplace Rule
4310(c)(04) (the "Rule") became effective. The Rule requires, among other 
things, that issuers listed on Nasdaq maintain a minimum bid price of one 
dollar. On February 27, 1998, Nasdaq notified the Company that it is not in 
compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. The Company has until May 
28, 1998 to regain compliance with the Rule. Compliance may be achieved if 
the Company's common stock trades at or above the minimum requirement of one 
dollar for at least 10 consecutive trade days. If the Company is unable to 
achieve compliance by May 28, 1998, Nasdaq has informed the Company that it 
will issue a delisting letter which will identify the review procedures 
available to the Company at that time. The Company is presently assessing 
the options available to achieve compliance with the Rule and intends to
retain its Nasdaq listing.

                            CORPORATE BACKGROUND

HemaCare has been a leading provider of blood products and services since its
inception in 1978. The Company's operations, located in southern California,
are focused on providing blood products and services to hospitals and hospital
groups.

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