LA QUINTA — LifeStream, the exclusive provider of blood products and services to all Coachella Valley hospitals, on Friday afternoon issued an urgent plea for blood donors.
In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub, donors lined up in droves to answer the urgent call for life-saving blood. Summer in the Coachella Valley is an equally dire — and urgent situation.
Blood donor
LifeStream has begun its Sixth Annual Nine Cities Challenge Blood Drive. The valley-wide blood drive, which runs through July 31, is critically important to keep the Coachella Valley’s available blood supply at ample levels during the summer months. Donors are needed across the Valley.
Here are the upcoming Nine Cities Challenge Blood Drives between July 7 to July 14.
• Palm Desert: July 7, Community Center, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Coachella: July 12, Bagdouma Park Community Center, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Cathedral City: July 13, Senior Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• La Quinta: July 14, Wellness Center, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This year, as in past years, there will be a major drive in each of the Valley’s nine cities. If donors are not able to attend on the day the drive is in their city, donors are encouraged to visit the La Quinta Donor Center; simply tell us which city you live or work in and your donation will go toward your city’s challenge total. In addition to the main drives, all drives during July, including all businesses and organizations that organize their own drives will count toward each city’s total. For additional mobile drive opportunities to assist your community during the challenge, contact LifeStream at 800-879-4484or visit here.
For more information and to set an appointment, please call 800-879-4484 or visit 9CitiesChallenge.com.
This year, LifeStream is pleased to announce the new “ExpressPass” feature for donating blood during the upcoming 6th Annual Nine Cities Challenge Blood Drive. LifeStream’s “ExpressPass” allows potential donors on the day-of-their-donation to save time in the donation process by completing the required pre-donation reading and health history questions before arriving at the donation site. This new feature makes donating faster and easier than in previous years. For a tutorial and day-of donation registration, visit here.
As the population decreases by 30 percent resulting in significantly fewer donations, the critical need for donations increases due to added vacation travel and summer activities. This year’s theme “If We All Do A Little, We Can Change A Lot” is about community. The goal of the Nine Cities Challenge Blood Drive is to create a friendly competition among the valley’s cities, their workforce and residents – whereby the motivation to donate blood becomes an event with strong participation and goodwill.
For added fun and camaraderie, all those who donate at the above locations receive a ticket voucher to Wet ‘n’ Wild Palm Springs, a coupon for four free Jack in the Box tacos, and a red #9CitiesChallenge wristband. In addition, donors are encouraged to take their photo or video on location, displaying the wristband and sharing it on social media – encouraging and challenging family, friends, colleagues, and other companies/organizations to donate to this very worthwhile cause. All donors are automatically eligible to win a 2017 Harley-Davidson XL883. Winner must be at least 18 years of age. For a complete set of rules, visit here.
