The community is invited to give back and help save lives by donating blood at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.

The Red Cross and Indianapolis Motor Speedway encourage people to donate at the Plaza Village – North Chalet at IMS on Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code IndyCar to make an appointment. You can also call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Donors who sign up in advance will receive a pass for free admission on the day of their appointment (donors will be contacted to pick up the pass in advance). Those who give blood on Friday or Saturday will receive a free garage pass and free admission for Fast Friday on May 17. 

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. During Trauma Awareness Month in May, help us keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O blood donors and donors are especially needed right now:

• Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type in the most serious situations. 
• Type O positive blood is the most used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
   

It’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save lives in an emergency.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its six chapters: Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). 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 us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @indianaredcross.