Desert cities compete in blood drive donations challenge

A community blood drive will be held in Coachella Wednesday as part of the Coachella Valley Blood Drive Challenge, in which residents of the valley’s nine cities compete to donate the most blood at a single event.

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

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

La Quinta, Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indio and Cathedral City already had blood drives. The challenge concludes 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 18 must provide written parental consent. Picture identification is required, and all donors should eat before arriving and be well hydrated.

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