Richmond International Raceway Hosting Sixth Annual Blood Drive Sunday, August 5

Richmond International Raceway will host its annual Drive for Life, a Virginia Blood Services blood drive, on Sunday,  August 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the track’s infield media center. Participants may enter the property through the Service Gate, off of Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life is a partnership between the track and Virginia Blood Services. Donors may register in advance by logging on to www.vablood.org.

“Richmond International Raceway has a great opportunity to bring our passionate fan base together to help save lives in our community,” said track president Dennis Bickmeier. “Every unit of blood donated here at the track will stay local to help someone right here in our community. Please join us on August 5 for our sixth annual Drive for Life blood drive.”

As a special incentive, those who donate blood will receive a complimentary Pace Car ride around Richmond International Raceway’s ¾-mile track (weather permitting). Additionally, all donors will be entered into the Virginia Blood Service’s Summer Survival 2012 weekly raffle for a $500 VISA gift card.

Summer is the most critical time of year for blood donations, with 1 in 7 individuals entering the hospital needing blood. Over the past five years, Richmond International Raceway’s Drive for Life hascollected more than 500 units of blood for the Virginia Blood Services.

“Summer is a difficult time for blood collection everywhere,” said Virginia Blood Services Communications Manager, Marly Fausz. “There’s a lot of pressure on the blood supply because blood donation is not top of mind with regular donors traveling and students out of school; and at the same time, hospital demands are increasing.”

To register in advance and for specific information about giving blood, please contact Virginia Blood Services at 800-989-4438 or visit www.vablood.org.

RIR PR