Team Blue or Team Red? Palm Springs First Responders Compete to Boost Summer Blood Donations

Summer is one of the most difficult times of the year for blood donations in the Coachella Valley as schools are out of session and student donors are no longer giving blood at their usual rates.

To help replenish the blood supply, the Palm Springs Police Department and Palm Springs Fire Department are turning their long-standing friendly rivalry into a community blood drive competition.

The event takes place Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O'Donnell Golf Club in Palm Springs, where donors can decide whether they're donating for Team Blue (Police) or Team Red (Fire).

Both departments say the competition is all in good fun, with plenty of bragging rights on the line. While each side hopes to come out on top, they agree the real winner will be the community.

Appointments are encouraged, and donors can sign up here: www.redcrossblood.org.