Dover Motor Speedway and Blood Bank of Delmarva will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with the 21st annual 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive on Friday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual event has brought donors to The Monster Mile since 2006, providing an opportunity to honor the lives lost on Sept. 11 through an act that directly helps patients in need throughout the region. Following their donation, registered participants will have the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles on Dover Motor Speedway’s high-banked, one-mile concrete oval.
The connection between blood donation and Sept. 11 dates back to the immediate aftermath of the attacks, when communities across the country responded by rolling up their sleeves. In the week immediately following 9/11, more than 2,800 people came forward to donate blood through Blood Bank of Delmarva — an extraordinary outpouring of service that was nearly twice the number of donations they receive in a typical week today.
The need for blood remains constant throughout the year. According to America’s Blood Centers, 62 percent of the U.S. population — approximately 204.9 million people — is eligible to donate blood, but only 3 percent of Americans donate each year. Blood donations support cancer and surgery patients, accident and trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, patients with sickle cell disease and many others.
Pre-registration is highly encouraged, but walk-ins will be taken as space allows. Donors can call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or visit Blood Bank of Delmarva’s website to schedule an appointment. Donors should only attend if they are feeling healthy and fever-free.
A blood donation typically takes about one hour, and a single donation can help save multiple lives.
Registrants should be aware of the following procedures as they make their way in and around Dover Motor Speedway:
- ENTERING THE PROPERTY: Guests should use the Speedway’s Leipsic Road entrance near the Monster Monument, not the Bally’s Dover entrance off Route 13. The suggested GPS address is 99 Plaza Drive, Dover, DE 19901.
- WAIVERS: Before entering the track, guests will be asked to sign a Speedway-issued waiver to drive their vehicle on the Monster Mile racing surface and a Blood Bank-issued waiver for photography.
- DONATION AREA: Guests will donate blood in the Dover Motor Speedway media center. Following their donation, participants will have the opportunity to take their personal vehicles around the Monster Mile before exiting the Speedway property.
Eligible donors are encouraged to make an appointment and join Dover Motor Speedway and Blood Bank of Delmarva on Sept. 11 to remember those lost 25 years ago while helping provide lifesaving blood for patients who need it today.
About Blood Bank of Delmarva
Founded in 1954, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) has served the Delmarva Peninsula for over 70 years, delivering nearly 100,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 45+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. BBD is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which operates in 16 states and delivers one million blood products to nearly 550 U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. BBD serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit delmarvablood.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
