Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The American Red Cross and Charlotte Motor Speedway are partnering to commemorate the events of Sept. 11 while offering the community an opportunity to help save lives. The sixth annual Laps for Life blood drive will be held Friday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, 5555 Concord Parkway South.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Each year, tens of millions of Americans and people around the world observe the anniversary of 9/11 by performing good deeds that help people and communities in need. The American Red Cross supports 9/11 Day by offering the community an opportunity to honor those who lost their lives and the heroes who responded following the tragic events.
The Laps for Life blood drive begins with an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on the Avenue of Flags by the speedway’s ticket office and includes a moment of silence at 9:32 a.m. The blood drive will be held in the Champions Pavilion infield area from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
John Pyndus, a Red Cross Disaster Action Team member from Concord who escaped the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, will recount the events of that day and how they led him to become a volunteer. Pyndus was on the 74th floor of the South Tower when the plane struck. His actions that day helped save the lives of several people. Pyndus and his wife of 47 years, Rita, both volunteer for the Red Cross as well as other organizations.
Angela Broome, CEO of the Red Cross Western North Carolina Region, and Fire Chief Ray Allen of the Concord Fire Department, will also speak about 9/11 and its impact.
All presenting blood donors will receive two Bojangles’ Pole Night tickets, a commemorative Laps for Life T-shirt, a Laps for Life gift bag and an opportunity to take their own car around the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course. In addition, presenting donors who schedule and keep their appointment will receive two NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for the Cure 300 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina tickets. Donors will also be treated to a block party grill out courtesy of Suburban Propane.
Presenting donors who complete a RapidPass, available at redcross.org/rapidpass, or download the Blood Donor App on their smartphone can enter to win additional prizes, including a one-night stay at Great Wolf Lodge Concord.
“Giving blood is a meaningful way we can remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and honor the first responders who rose up in response to the attacks,” said Angela Broome, CEO for the Red Cross Western North Carolina region.
Eligible donors can make an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code “Laps for Life,” calling 1-800-RED CROSS or downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Blood donors of all types – especially those with types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative – and platelet donors are encouraged to give. Type O negative is the universal blood type that can be transfused to patients of any blood type. It is often used to treat trauma patients and is always in demand by hospitals.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About Charlotte Motor Speedway:
For more than 50 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard for motorsports entertainment for fans of all ages.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is the only race vacation destination where fans can immerse themselves in the heart of NASCAR country. Visitors can see spectacles including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America 500 as well as thrilling dirt-racing events at the half-mile The Dirt Track at Charlotte and full-throttle drag racing at zMAX Dragway. Attractions also include speedway and race shop tours, the nearby NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the chance to drive an 800-horsepower stock car. Charlotte Motor Speedway puts FANS FIRST with a never-ending commitment to enhance the fan experience, with unmatched value through affordable season tickets, unparalleled pre-race entertainment and more opportunities for fans to see their favorite drivers.