All Potential Blood and Marrow Donors to Receive Goody Bag and Thunder Road Tour
As the seven year anniversary of September 11th approaches next week; Watkins Glen International, the Sullivan Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross and the National Marrow Donor Program Greater New York State Donor Center, have renewed their partnership to support the spirit of charitable giving surrounding the anniversary of this national tragedy. The 2008 ‘Road to the Rescue’ will take place on Thursday, September 11 at Watkins Glen International and was organized in conjunction with the NASCAR Foundation’s third annual campaign at NASCAR tracks across the country.
"We are proud to play a roll in this great event because it gives our community the chance to make a difference in the lives of those in need in support of September 11th," stated Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International. "We encourage not only our fans, but everyone to sign up and help out to not only pay tribute to those lost on 9/11, but to help ensure that our local blood supply is adequate to meet the needs of our community."
The Road to The Rescue blood and marrow registry drive will take place at Watkins Glen International, from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at the track’s Tower Suites. Free food and a goody bag featuring a voucher for a Thunder Road Tour will be provided to all potential donors. Thunder Road Tours retail for $25.00 and provide fans the opportunity to drive their own vehicle around the 3.4 mile road course at Watkins Glen International for three paced. A free voucher will be provided to all donors and can be redeemed on September 11th or at a later date.
Donors will also have the chance to enter and win a personal meet and greet with NASCAR Spring Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson during the 2009 race season. The drawing will include entries from all of the other host tracks and will be made following the marrow drive at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on December 2nd, 2008.
The NASCAR Foundation continues to work hard on their annual blood and marrow drive with Watkins Glen International and 13 other tracks throughout the country including WGI sister facilities, Michigan International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, California Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.
"It has been incredible to watch the drive grow over the past two years," said Jimmie Johnson, two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion and co-founder of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. "Each year, we have been able to add more tracks to the program. This will be our biggest drive yet. It is amazing how everyone is able to come together on one day to make such a huge impact."
Not only will the track host a blood drive but they will be working hard to sign people up for the National Marrow Donor Program. The largest effort of its kind within the motorsports industry, The NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive has collected enough pints of blood to potentially save
more than 17,000 lives since its launch in 2006. On a national level, more than 1,500 members were added to the National Marrow Donor Program® Registry giving hope to the 6,000 patients searching the Registry every day.
Interested donors are encouraged to pre-register by calling the Red Cross at (607)734-3317 during the day or 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) during the evenings.
About the Red Cross
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross will be passing out brochures on Health and Safety, Disaster and Blood (www.redcrosselmira.org).
About The NASCAR Foundation
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Foundation supports a wide range of charitable initiatives that reflect the core values of the entire NASCAR Family.
The NASCAR Foundation will use strength of the sport and its people to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: www.nascar.com/foundation.
About Jimmie Johnson Foundation
Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the two-time reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Impala SS in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the foundation is to assist children, families, and communities in need throughout the United States.
The foundation has committed more than $1.7 million to various charities. For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.
About Hendrick Marrow Program
Rick Hendrick established the Hendrick Marrow Program as a fund of The Marrow Foundation in 1997 following his diagnosis with leukemia. Although Hendrick never required a marrow transplant, he is committed to supporting the thousands of Americans who search the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry every day in hope of finding a lifesaving marrow donor.
The Hendrick Marrow Program’s goals are to raise funds to support donor recruitment drives across the country and to assist patients with uninsured transplant-related expenses.
- Eiron M. Smith-
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