Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
NEWTON, Iowa (June 25, 2018) — The community is invited to join the race to help save lives with Verizon IndyCar Series driver and blood recipient James Hinchcliffe at the American Red Cross Hinchcliffe Challenge Blood Drive, presented by Indycar Cares, Iowa Speedway Cares and Verizon IndyCar Series. The event is Friday, July 6, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Iowa Speedway Newton Club, in Newton.
To make an appointment visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code iaspeedway.
Those who come to give blood at this event will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. The first 100 donors will receive one Paddock Pass. Before entering the Paddock area, all donors must sign a waiver in the Credentials Office. Participants 18 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult and complete a minor waiver form.
Hinchcliffe suffered severe injuries after a crash during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2015. He needed 22 pints of blood to survive, about twice an average person’s blood volume. His experience led him to realize how important blood donation really is.
“It took something like what happened to me for me to understand the problem,” said Hinchcliffe. “I'm working with the Red Cross to do whatever I can to raise awareness about the issue and try to draw people to blood donation.”
Hinchcliffe’s accident is a reminder of how fragile the blood supply can be.
“Just as James ended up needing a large volume of blood quickly to save his life, we can’t predict when a major accident might happen,” said Judi Faas, donor recruitment account manager, for the Red Cross. “It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.”
With a goal to collect 60 blood donations, this blood drive is one of several Hinchcliffe is sponsoring across the country with the Red Cross to help boost blood supplies during a time when donations often decline. The public can follow social media activity of these events by using #HinchcliffeHundred.
The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. In the Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region, the Red Cross needs about 455 donations each day to support patients at 31 area hospitals. Donors of all blood types are needed to help those who rely on blood products.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org and use sponsor code iaspeedway 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, from a computer or mobile device. 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.