The American Red Cross, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack to Honor Blood Donors and the Military at the Texas Motor Speedway

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross will have a strong presence throughout the Texas Motor Speedway during the AAA Texas 500.  The organization will honor our military heroes and celebrate blood donors through Red Cross Racing.  Celebrity Cabinet Member and proud blood donor Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion, is raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donations. The Red Cross will also host 150 military troops from the region at the race on Sunday, giving them special viewing access from the Donor Deck at turn three.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

"I'm proud to be identified within the NASCAR family as the American Red Cross driver and a blood donor.  I give blood because it's easy to do and helps support the community," says Biffle. "I'm a type O donor and know how important it is to have enough type O blood on hand to meet the needs of patients across this country."  

The Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces will also honor active duty military and veterans through the "Salute Our Troops" pre-race concert with the legendary Willie Nelson.  In addition, Lee Ann Womack will represent the Red Cross as the AAA Grand Marshall of the Texas 500.    

Please visit the Red Cross Racing booth along the midway at the Texas Motor Speedway between gates 5 and 6.  The efforts of Red Cross Racing have resulted in more than 227,000 reported blood donations. Red Cross Racing members can get points for a variety of activities, including giving blood and/or platelets and recruiting other blood donors to join.  Those points may be exchanged for prizes such as limited edition die cast cars, gardening sets, pocket tools and other exciting prizes. In addition, Red Cross Racing members can support the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces by donating their donor rewards points back. These points will then be used to help the Red Cross provide even more comfort and support to our troops and their families.

For more information about Red Cross Racing, or to make a blood donation appointment, please visit us online at redcrossracing.com. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form in some states). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors 18 and younger. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross