Blood Drive Challenge set for tomorrow in Coachella

A community blood drive will be held in Coachellatomorrow as part of the Coachella Valley Blood Drive Challenge, in whichresidents of the valley’s nine cities compete to donate the most blood at asingle event.

The drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Coachella SeniorCenter, 1540 Seventh St.

The inaugural Coachella Valley Blood Drive Challenge began July 9 andends Thursday. The city with the most donations will get a plaque on DesertBlood Services’ Tree of Life at its La Quinta headquarters.

La Quinta, Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Palm Springsand Indio already had blood drives; Cathedral City’s is today. The challengeconcludes Thursday with a drive in Rancho Mirage.

All donors receive a free ticket to Knott’s Soak City in Palm Springs,free food and drinks and a cholesterol screening.

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

For information and upcoming blood drives, call (760) 777-8844 or go towww.desertbloodservices.org.