TALLADEGA, AL – The 10th annual American Red Cross-Talladega Superspeedway “Laps for Life” blood drive returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Friday, September 11, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event will provide those who donate with a once in a lifetime opportunity: A high speed ride around NASCAR’s Most Competitive Track in Talladega Superspeedway’s official pace car.
Donors will be rewarded with an incredible day at Talladega Superspeedway. All presenting donors will receive two complimentary grandstand tickets to the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway on October 24, complimentary tours of both the track and International Motorsports Hall of Fame, a visit to Gatorade Victory Lane, as well as the opportunity to win great prizes. Participates will also be provided a delicious BBQ lunch with Golden Flake Chips after completing the “Laps for Life” activities.
Nearly 1,500 pints/units of blood or blood products have been collected since Talladega Superspeedway first partnered with American Red Cross in 2006 for the “Laps for Life” blood drive. One pint of blood can possibly help save up to three lives. Potentially 4,383 lives have been saved since the inception of the “Laps for Life” event.
To register online go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: talladega. Follow instructions on the website to complete registration. All scheduled appointments that show up to donate will be entered to win a YETI Cooler.
On the day of the event there will be five Pit Stops for participants to move through to complete their Laps for Life. The credential will be issued at Pit Stop 1, “Draw for Qualifying,” where participants will register to have blood drawn for donation, thus qualifying them for the rest of the adventure. There, they also will be entered for spectacular door prizes. After presenting to give blood, participants will move on to Pit Stop 2, “Souvenir Row,” where they’ll receive a goody bag filled with special items to commemorate the occasion.
From there they’ll move to Pit Stop 3, “Driver’s Meeting,” to learn more about the history of motorsports by taking a free tour of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum. After the museum tour, participants will venture outside to board a bus that will take them on a track tour of the famous Talladega Superspeedway. The tour will lead to Pit Stop 4, “Type Testing.” Here, guests will be given a ride around the track in Talladega’s official pace car, followed by the opportunity to take photos taken in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Participants will return to the Hall of Fame for Pit Stop 5, “The Donor Diner,” where they will enjoy a complimentary sandwich provided by Smoke N Hot BBQ and delicious Golden Flake Chips, the official chips of Talladega Superspeedway.
“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, so there is a constant need for generous blood donors to roll up their sleeves and give,” said Tiffany Taylor, External Communications Manager, Alabama and Central Gulf Coat Blood Services. “We appreciate the continuous efforts of the Talladega Superspeedway in raising awareness of this need while honoring the heroes who sacrificed their lives on 9/11.”
The American Red Cross, Blood Services, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region, which supplies blood to approximately 100 hospitals, needs 600 blood donors each day in order to meet the needs of patients in the region. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.