Local blood drives hope to fill banks

The first of four local blood drives this week will be held today in Palm Desert.

The drive will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jack in the Box, 36555 Cook St., according to Desert Blood Services, which is organizing the events.

The other blood drives are scheduled for:
— Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lowe’s, 35900 Monterey Ave., Palm
Desert;
— Friday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at La Quinta Resort, 49499 Eisenhower
Drive, La Quinta, hosted by the Italian Catholic Federation; and
— Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m., at KESQ and CBS Local 2, 31276 Dunham Way,
Thousand Palms.

All donors receive a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for Ben & Jerry’s at The River shopping center in Rancho Mirage, as well as a physical and cholesterol screening.

Healthy people at least 15 years old can give blood, but those under 18 must provide written parental consent. Picture identification is required, and all donors should eat before arriving and be well hydrated.

Desert Blood Services provides blood products for Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe and Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms.

For information, call (760) 777-8844 or go to www.desertbloodservices.org .