“Race In” to donate blood at the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC). Donors who give blood at one of CBCC’s donation centers in May could win a $50 gas card or a pair of NASCAR tickets to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25.

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will be giving out two $50 gas cards each week in May as well as hold a drawing on Friday, May 23 for the NASCAR tickets in the Grand National Tower where viewers can see the start, finish and pit row. The ticket drawing will include all May 1-22 center donors.

“As we head in to a very difficult time of year for blood donations, we want to thank our donors for their commitment to saving local lives,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “We encourage the community to remember the continual need for blood, even during the busy summer months.”

Every blood and platelet donation attempt in one of CBCC’s four centers – Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord and Hickory – counts as an entry throughout the month. Donors will be automatically entered to win each time they present to donate in May. Raffle periods for the gas cards are: May 11–17, May 18–24, and May 25–31.

To check eligibility and schedule any type of appointment via phone, call 704-972-4700. Platelet donors may also email plateletdonor@cbcc.us and O type blood donors are asked to email odonor@cbcc.us.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) is a non-profit community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to 22 regional hospitals, serving 16 North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. CBCC focuses exclusively on gathering red blood cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives – every drop of blood collected remains here to help people in the Carolinas. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers providing more than 50% of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.