Blood drive Saturday at Speedway

The American Red Cross and Charlotte Motor Speedway will once again partner for the 5th Annual Day of Remembrance Blood Drive Saturday at the Speedway in Concord.

All donors will receive an American Red Cross Bag filled with a Pole Night Ticket, a “Driven to Give” T-shirt, a mug and a coupon from Papa John’s Pizza. All presenting donors can also enter a drawing to win a Dale Earnhardt Jr. cooler filled with Jr Memorabilia: T-shirts, mugs, a windbreaker and an authentic autographed picture of Jr.

The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region has issued an urgent call for blood donors.

“There is a critical need for blood donors now,” said Joyce H. Brendel, chief executive officer for the Carolinas Blood Services Region of the Red Cross.

“This summer we have had a particularly difficult time recruiting enough blood donors to meet the requirements of our community’s hospitals and the patients they serve.”

In the Carolinas Region, the Red Cross has seen approximately 13 percent fewer donors than expected.

Donors with all blood types are needed, but especially those with type O negative. Red Cross officials say type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. That’s because type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, and is most readily given to patients in emergency and trauma situations.

“We urge people to make and keep an appointment to donate blood now,” said Brendel. “Chances are, someone is counting on you right now for their very life.”

To best accommodate your schedule, it is recommended to make an appointment as soon as possible. The drive runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Speedway. Make your appointment by visiting http://www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation-sponsor and enter sponsor code 4357 or by calling 704-676-1277.