Blood drive will be held today in support of 5-year-old Indio girl battling cancer

A La Quinta gym is hosting a blood drive today in support of a 5-year-old Indio girl battling late-stage cancer.

Desirae Cechin, who goes by Desi, was diagnosed in April with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, which affects the nervous system.

Local fundraisers and donors paid for her trip to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where she underwent surgery last week.

The blood drive is 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at World Gym, 46760 Commerce Court.

Donors will get a coupon for an hourlong massage at Knight-Gamble Chiropractic, a $20 PGA Superstore cash card, and a monthlong pass to World Gym, according to LifeStream blood bank spokesman Don Escalante.

The public can also meet Desi’s family at the gym from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and learn about her treatment. The gym is selling items and collecting donations for her through Sept. 15, and 10 percent of the cost of signing up at World Gym will go toward her treatment, Escalante said.

Before going to New York City, Desi got chemotherapy at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, according to her fundraising website. Her family chose Memorial Sloan Kettering because it specializes in neuroblastoma.

To make an appointment for the blood drive, call (800) 879-4484 or go to www.lstream.org.

For more fundraising information and updates, go to the Believing For Desi Facebook page.