The community is invited to join the race to help save lives with Verizon IndyCar Series driver and blood-donation recipient James Hinchcliffe at a special American Red Cross Hinchcliffe 100 Blood Drive on Thursday, Sept. 13, from noon to 6 p.m. at Sonoma Raceway.
As a thank you for their donation, the first 100 donors who register to give during the drive will receive a free general admission to the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma on Sunday, Sept. 16, while supplies last.
In 2015, Hinchcliffe suffered severe injuries after a crash during practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 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," said Justin Mueller, Red Cross Donor Recruitment Account Manager, Northern California region. "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 It's the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency."
This blood drive is one of several Hinchcliffe has sponsored across the country with the Red Cross to help boost blood supplies during a time when fewer people donate. The public can follow social media activity of these events by using hashtag #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. Donors of all blood types are needed to help those who rely on blood products.
To schedule an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code SonomaRaceway.
