Credit: Contributed Photo

National blood, marrow drive set for Sept. 11

As the five-year anniversary of September 11th approaches, we remember the outpouring of public support and goodwill in the hours and days after the tragedy. Moved by an ardent desire to help, Americans did everything possible to offer relief to their fellow citizens. Charitable contributions increased, ordinary citizens held vigils, and willing donors overwhelmed blood donation centers. This generosity of spirit, motivating us to help, serve and remember others, is easy to continue today. By giving blood and joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, we can offer vital support to strangers in need.

	NASCAR CHARITIES •   Visit the NASCAR Foundation •   How you can help

The NASCAR Foundation, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, and the Hendrick Marrow Program are hosting a national blood and marrow drive at participating tracks in communities across the country on September 11, 2006, to encourage individuals to honor the victims of September 11 by signing up to potentially save a life. To register and learn more about the event, visit www.nascar.com/foundation.

When honoring victims of September 11, we often think immediately of the firefighters and police officers who ran fearlessly into the burning buildings to help people escape, demonstrating true heroism and courage. In too many cases, these brave men and women saved the lives of others, while losing their own.

One such man, the young and energetic Terry Farrell, saved lives every day as a member of the FDNY, until he died during the 9/11 attacks. But he didn't only save lives while on duty. In 1993, he saved the life of Chantyl, a six-year-old girl suffering from T-cell lymphoma, by donating his bone marrow for her life-saving transplant. Terry registered to be a marrow donor in 1989 after his nephew was diagnosed with leukemia. While not a match for his relative, Terry, through the National Marrow Donor Program Registry, turned out to be a match four years later for a stranger, and he gave the gift that saved Chantyl's life.

In the weeks following September 11, Terry's brothers decided that hosting marrow donor drives among all the firefighters, police officers and residents in the New York City metropolitan area would be a fitting memorial for his life-saving work. Terry Farrell's legacy lives on through the Terry Farrell Marrow Program to help educate the public about the importance of joining the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. To learn more about the Terry Farrell Marrow Program, visit www.terryfarrellmarrowprogram.com. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation National Blood and Marrow Drive, go to www.nascar.com/foundation.