Each year on September 11, Michigan International Speedway hosts the Spirit of America blood drive with all donations benefiting the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. Due to its overwhelming success, the Spirit of America blood drive caught the attention of the NASCAR Foundation in 2007, which has since created the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive, which took place at nearly 30 different race tracks around the country in 2009.

Since its inception in 2002, the drive has proven to be one of the largest of its kind on 9-11. The race-themed blood drive has grown in each of its eight years and has more than tripled its units collected since 2002. In 2009, blood donations topped the century mark for the second straight year after collecting 1,297 units in one 12-hour period.

One of the highlights of the drive is “Unity Field,” a 10-acre tribute of 3,000 American flags, which are displayed along with the names of all who lost their lives on 9-11.

Anyone wishing to donate blood and be a part of the largest blood drive in the Great Lakes region, can visit http://www.mispeedway.com/spiritofamerica or call 1-800-YOU-GAVE to sign-up.

Spirit of America Blood Drive Totals
Year             Units Collected             Potential Lives Saved
2002                    375                                     1,125
2003                    433                                     1,299
2004                    535                                     1,605
2005                    646                                     1,938
2006                    789                                     2,367
2007                    962                                     2,886
2008                   1,179                                   3,537
2009                   1,297                                   3,891
Total                  6,216                                 18,648
* Each blood unit has the potential to be transfused to up to 3 people