PALM DESERT - The Coachella Valley Water District hosted a bone marrow drive with "Be The Match Registry" at City of Hope Wednesday in Palm Desert.

 

The drive was inspired by longtime employee Steve Robbins, who has leukemia. 

 

At any one time, more than 6,000 critically ill people search the registry to find a match. There are currently nearly 10 million people in the registry, yet many patients continue to have difficulty finding a suitable match.

 

At the donor drive, volunteers will be asked to complete a brief health questionnaire before giving a DNA sample by swabbing the inside of the mouth. The process takes approximately 15 minutes. Every new person added to the registry is a potential match for patients in need across the world.

 

Among those patients looking for a suitable match is CVWD General Manager-Chief Engineer Steve Robbins, a 25-year CVWD employee and long-time La Quinta resident who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

 

Robbins is a former La Quinta Planning Commissioner and long-time member of the La Quinta Rotary. He has been involved in a number of statewide water-related organizations, including serving on the boards of the State Water Contractors and Association of California Water Agencies. He and wife Karen have three daughters, one grandson and a second grandchild on the way.