Darlington Raceway will host its ninth annual Blood Drive event on Thursday, September 11.
The Darlington Raceway Blood Drive has experienced tremendous success over the years. It’s important to remember that one unit of donated blood can be transfused to up to three people. The 2013 event collected 183 units of blood, thus potentially saving the lives of 549 people.
“This is a community event that has made a significant impact for the South Carolina Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross since 2005,” Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile said. “The tragedies of 9-11 impacted us all and it is important that we honor the victims and heroes of that day. The Darlington Raceway Blood Drive is a good way to pay respects to 9-11 in addition to having an impact on the lives of people that reside in the Pee Dee area.”
For each donation, fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Lady in Black, which includes an opportunity to take a pace lap around the Darlington oval. All presenting donors in the month of September, including at Darlington Raceway, 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 for the blood drive.
Thus far in 2014, the track has collected 181 units of blood for the American Red Cross.
The track collected 435 total units of blood in 2013, all of them gathered during the Bojangles’ Southern 500 race weekend, September 11 Blood Drive and holiday event in December.
The 435 units collected by the track for the year represent almost one day of need in the state of South Carolina. The Red Cross needs about 500 donations per day to keep up with demand from area hospitals.
Since 2005, Darlington Raceway has collected 1,668 units of blood for the South Carolina Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, potentially saving the lives of 5,004 people in our community.
“Every year, the support of Darlington Raceway and the generosity of local donors enable us to fulfill our mission of helping save lives,” said Ryan Corcoran, Community CEO of the Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region. “This Sept. 11, consider giving the gift of life. You never know when a friend, neighbor or loved one in the community will need blood.”
The American Red Cross South Carolina 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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