Kelowna deputy Mayor Colin Basran made a passionate plea Friday for Kelowna residents to participate in a annual blood donation challenge against Prince George.

The 17th annual Interior Drive for Life started Friday and will run until Oct. 30. The city collecting the greatest number of blood donations per capita will be declared the winner. The winning city receives a trophy from Canadian Blood Services. Kelonwa is the defending champion.

“Let’s rally together to save lives for hospital patients in our community,” said Basran who was at the Dilworth Drive clinic to receive the trophy on behalf of the City of Kelowna for winning the 2013 challenge.

In addition to its regular donors, Canadian Blood Services is currently looking for Kelowna residents who are not regular blood donors.

“During the next two months challenge, Canadian Blood Services must recruit 368 new donors in Kelowna to help keep the blood system strong and sustainable,” said Gayle Voyer of Canadian Blood Services in Kelowna.

The Canadian Blood Services office is located at 103-1865 Dilworth Dr., across from the Sears store at Orchard Park Shopping Centre. Clinic hours in Kelowna are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on alternating Saturdays. During the Challenge, Saturday clinics will be open Sept. 6 and 20 and Oct. 4 and 18.

“I’d like to ask those who have never donated blood to take that first step and come down to the Dilworth Drive clinic,” said Basran.

“Last year almost 1,700 Kelowna residents showed up and they are the reason the trophy is here today not in Prince George.”

Donors can book an appointment by calling 1-888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or online atwww.blood.ca.

The City of Kelowna supports Canadian Blood Services and the United Way as its official corporate charities.