Indianapolis, In. — The community is invited to join the race to help save lives with Verizon IndyCar Series driver and blood recipient James Hinchcliffe at a special American Red Cross Hinchcliffe Hundred Blood Drive supported by Verizon IndyCar Series, Indiana University Health Foundation and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is Monday, May 21, from noon to 6 p.m. at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Legends Row with a goal to collect 105 blood donations.The first 100 people who come to give blood at this event will receive a free access pass into the driver’s garage (must be at least 18 years old) and free parking in Turn 3. Anyone who wishes to attend the blood drive must have a gate ticket to enter the property. A free gate ticket will be sent to each donor by email after their donation appointment is scheduled. On the day of the blood drive, those without an appointment to donate are welcome to attend the blood drive and purchase their own gate ticket to enter.
Hinchcliffe suffered severe injuries after a crash during practice at IMS 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 Meg Ahlering, business account manager for the Red Cross. “It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency.”
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 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. In Indiana alone, the Red Cross needs about 450 donors each day to support patients at 80 hospitals across the state. Donors of all blood types are needed to help those who rely on blood products.
