Michigan International Speedway hosting annual blood drive to honor victims and heroes of 9/11
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (August 19, 2014) – On Thursday, September 11, Michigan Blood and Michigan International Speedway (MIS) renew their partnership at the Spirit of America Blood Drive. This one of a kind event pays tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11, while bringing in hundreds of lifesaving blood donations.
“Michigan Blood is honored to be part of this incredible day at MIS,” says Heidi Seitz, Michigan Blood’s donor relations manager. “This is our second year, and we couldn’t imagine not being part of it all.”
The Spirit of America blood drive began at MIS in 2002 and since its inception has collected more than 9,300 pints of blood. That’s more than 1,162 gallons of lifesaving blood. Blood that has the potential to have helped more than 27,900 lives.
“The Spirit of America is one of the most incredible events we will host all year,” said Roger Curtis, track president. “It has evolved out of a simple need to want to do something for 9/11 into a meaningful, heartfelt and truly good thing to do with our community. This event is unique to MIS, and the only place where the experience while here is as awesome as the act of donating blood itself.”
To participate in this extraordinary tribute and behind the scenes MIS experience, donors must have an appointment. Appointments are limited to 700 guests between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.and can be made online through: https://donate.miblood.org/portal/. Appointments are also available by calling 1-866-MIBLOOD (642-5663). New donors are encouraged to sign up.
Those who attempt to donate will have the opportunity to travel by MIS tram around the track, through the tunnel to the pits, and into MIS’s Home of the Brave, a 4,000-square-foot multi-media exhibit featuring “as it happened videos,” Presidential letters, magazines, newspapers, and additional tributes.
All donors are treated to lunch in the Champions Club overlooking the track and receive a Spirit of America gift bag, plus a commemorative pin and t-shirt. Donors also get an up-close view of more than 3,000 American flags proudly displayed at Unity Field to honor the victims of 9/11. Anyone may come to Unity Field, but only blood donors with appointments will receive track and museum tours, a gift bag and lunch.
Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. Blood donors should bring photo ID. For additional information on donating blood, please visit www.miblood.org.
About Michigan Blood
Founded in 1955, Michigan Blood is a fast growing, independent, non-profit blood bank headquartered in Grand Rapids. It provides blood products and services for more than 40 hospitals throughout Michigan and is an established leader in quality and service. Michigan Blood collects more than 120,000 units of blood each year at nine permanent donation sites and more than 3,700 mobile blood drives in 37 counties statewide. Michigan Blood has a nationally recognized stem cell (marrow) program and created Michigan’s first public cord blood bank. In addition, Michigan Blood provides therapeutic apheresis, cellular therapies for the treatment of cancer and transfusion medicine consultations. For more information, visit www.miblood.org.
