BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 20, 2020) - Bristol Motor Speedway is teaming up with Marsh Regional Blood Center this Monday, March 23, to host a blood drive to assist with the shortage of blood in the Appalachian Highlands region.
With a nationwide shortage of blood supply growing, the blood drive provides local residents the opportunity to donate in a time of need. The event will begin Monday at 10 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. at the Marsh Regional mobile unit inside the North Entrance of Bristol Motor Speedway off Hwy 11 E / Volunteer Pkwy.
"We're blessed to be located in a region that is so giving and always willing to rise up in a time of need," said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. "We're thankful to our friends at Marsh Regional Blood Center who will be bringing their mobile unit to provide our residents the opportunity to donate blood while ensuring appropriate social distancing measures. We encourage those who are healthy to join us and help make a difference."
All donors will receive directions upon arrival to help maintain proper social distancing.
The virus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. Marsh Regional continues to take appropriate measures to reduce donors' potential exposure to COVID-19.
As many as three lives can be saved each time someone donates blood - and donations to Marsh Regional stay local to help people in this region.
Each donor will receive a t-shirt, snack and a $10 Food City gift card in return for their donation. To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Individuals with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters or who are taking antibiotics may not donate. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.
"We need people to turn out in force and donate," said Don Campbell, director of Marsh Regional. "Nationally, blood drives are being cancelled, and hospitals and health systems are in urgent need for donations. This could turn into an unprecedented blood shortage, unless our donors come out and give as soon as they can.
"If you're healthy, feel well and haven't been exposed to COVID-19, we need you to donate now."
In addition to the BMS drive, Marsh Regional has expanded its donor center hours to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Donors will receive a $10 Food City gift card and a limited-edition T-shirt. Offices are located at 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. For other local blood drive events, please visit www.marshblood.com and click the Event Calendar.
Marsh Regional supplies blood to 25 regional medical facilities, 12 cancer centers and five air rescue bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. Healthcare facilities that rely on Marsh Regional for blood and blood products include: Bristol Regional Medical Center, Buchanan General Hospital, Clinch Valley Medical Center, Dickenson Community Hospital, Greeneville Community Hospital West, Hancock County Hospital, Hawkins County Memorial Hospital, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Holston Valley Medical Center, Indian Path Community Hospital, James H. Quillen VA Healthcare System, Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson County Community Hospital, Johnston Memorial Hospital, Lonesome Pine Hospital, Mountain View Regional Hospital, Norton Community Hospital, The Rehabilitation Hospital of Southwest Virginia, Russell County Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital, Smyth County Community Hospital, Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Tazewell Community Hospital and Unicoi County Hospital.
For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276-679-4669 or visit www.marshblood.com.
