After hosting its most successful American Red Cross Blood Drive in 2012, Darlington Raceway is once again excited to host the annual event for the 8th consecutive year on Sept. 11, 2013.
The Darlington Raceway Blood Drive has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years with more fans taking time out of their day to donate and give back to the local Pee Dee chapter of the American Red Cross.
“This is an event we’re really proud to host every year,” Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning said. “It only takes the generosity of a few people each giving one unit of blood to potentially save hundreds maybe thousands of lives in our area. It truly is a positive way to honor the tragedies of 9-11 in our local community.”
For each donation, fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Lady in Black, which includes an opportunity to take their vehicle for laps around the Darlington oval, as well as an American Red Cross gift bag. Any donation in the month of September, including at the Darlington Raceway Blood Drive, will receive a free haircut coupon courtesy of Sport Clips.
The event, which will take place from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 11, is now accepting appointments. To reserve your donation time, go to www.redcrossblood.org, click on the Make an Appointment link and enter the sponsor code: darlingtonraceway or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Appointments are encouraged in advance to ensure participation in the blooddrive.
It’s important to remember that one unit of donated blood can be transfused up to three people. The 2012 event collected 218 units of blood, thus potentially saving the lives of 654 people.
Darlington Raceway was recognized by the American Red Cross earlier this year for its blood collection efforts during the 2012 calendar year. The track helped collect 314 total units of blood in 2012, a vast majority of them gathered during the Sept. 11 blood drive and Bojangles’ Southern 500 race weekend in May. It was the most units collected by any one private business in the Pee Dee area in 2012.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with Darlington Raceway for eight consecutive years for the annual 9/11 memorialblood drive,” said Ryan Corcoran, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region. “Donating blood is a meaningful way to honor those whose lives were lost Sept. 11, 2001 while also helping those whose lives depend on blood transfusions today.”
The American Red Cross S.C. Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 54 hospitals and must have 500 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
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