Milwaukee Mile Hosted Very Successful NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive on Sept. 11

Blood Center of Wisconsin Event Held in Speedway’s Infield Media Center Attracted New Marrow Donors and Dozens of Blood Donors

West Allis, Wis. (September 12, 2008) – The Milwaukee Mile’s participation in the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive held yesterday within the speedway’s Milton Peck Media Center was a measurable success.

The five hour event on Patriot Day attracted a diverse group of donors from the surrounding community including Milwaukee Mile staff, volunteers and race fans who donated blood and added their names to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry.

The Blood Center of Wisconsin officially signed in 80 individuals as donors, which can benefit more than 50 Wisconsin hospitals from donations it collected to help save lives in Wisconsin.

Awareness to join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry in the NASCAR community began when championship team owner Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with an illness several years ago, which prompted his team driver Jimmie Johnson and his foundation to join in the national NASCAR Foundation campaign.

Thirty-four individuals added their names to the National Marrow Donor Program Registry yesterday at The Mile.

The NASCAR Foundation, presenting event sponsor Nationwide Insurance and The Mile provide gifts to all donors, with one winner drawn to receive a premium Jimmie Johnson collectable package. Each donor also had the chance to enter a contest to meet Johnson, a two-time NASCAR champion.

The Milwaukee Mile was one of 30 NASCAR speedways to take part on or near September 11th in an effort to support the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive.

This event also added to the Blood Center of Wisconsin’s total donation amount raised during its “Battle of the Badges” campaign, a friendly competition between police officers, fire fighters and first responders to see which department can generate the most blood donors.

National totals from yesterday are still being tabulated. In the prior two years, the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive had collected enough pints of blood and names for the National Marrow Donor Program Registry to potentially save more than 17,000 lives.

The Milwaukee Mile extends a special thanks to all participants, to the Loser’s Car Club and participants in the classic car show display, and to the professionals who staffed and orchestrated this well-run Blood Center of Wisconsin event.