Civilians Invited to Donate Blood on Day One of Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival is about the thrill of racing, the sound of engines, the smell of fuel and, the sight of blood. In a good way. Thousands of participants at this year's preeminent San Diego Fleet Week Foundation event will be able to support our servicemen and women by donating blood through the Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) Blood Donor Center team that will be set up at the Naval Air Station North Island on Saturday, September 22.  The blood drive will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Donors will receive a tee-shirt, a commemorative coin and a free ticket to return on Sunday, September 23.

The NMCSD Blood Donor Center supplies blood for contingency operations overseas. Weekly shipments are sent to troops in Afghanistan and wherever military personnel are sent, units of blood travel with them. Blood donations also serve the Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton and other military treatment facilities.      

"This is a tremendous opportunity for San Diegans to participate in our active blood program for active duty members abroad, and at home and their family members," said Lt. Edgardo Guzman, Blood Donor Center Officer in Charge. "Many don't realize that the Blood Donor Center is a way that everyone can support our troops."

Currently there is a great need for donors of all blood types, with Type O being the universal donor that can safely transfuse to any blood type – a valuable commodity in a war zone. It can also be used for newborns.  Type AB is also in short supply.

To schedule an appointment to make your life-saving donation, visit www.militarydonor.com and enter sponsor code name SPEEDFEST.  If you have any questions about your eligibility to donate, please call 619-279-0526 or email [email protected] or [email protected]. To learn more about how your donation helps the troops, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

Military and Kids FREE

Once again, all active duty, active reserve and their direct-dependent military ID-holders will enjoy free admission to this year's event. Active duty military, active reservists and dependent ID-holders will not need tickets and will enter through a specially-designated gate. Admission is free for children 12 and under, both military and non-military.  Thanks to our sponsors who have enabled this event to honor our nation's military in this way.

For the public, tickets cost $25 for one day and $35 for both days, in advance at www.fleetweeksandiego.org.  Tickets will also be available at the venue ($35 one day and $45 for both days).

About Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego

The Coronado Speed Festival is Fleet Week San Diego's preeminent event. Fast-paced, thrilling auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages mark the widespread draw of this event.  Staged at one of racing's most distinctive locations – Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of Naval Aviation – it's the only place to see live racing on an active U.S. Navy runway.

Fleet Week San Diego 2012 events will take place from September 8 through October 14. The non-profit, 501(c)(3) foundation was created by community and business leaders who understood the great depth of public support for our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. In addition to honoring the military services through the annual Fleet Week San Diego events, the foundation's goals are to foster awareness of the contributions made by military personnel and their families; to enhance relationships between the civilian, business and military communities; to provide events that military personnel and their families can attend at little or no cost; and to promote other organizations that provide services to military personnel and their families.  Fleet Week San Diego is funded solely through the generosity of individuals and corporate contributions. More information is available at http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/donate.html.

A schedule of the events that fall under Fleet Week San Diego is also posted at www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events.html or you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fleetweeksd or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fleetweeksd.

SOURCE Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego