NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Source: Jan White
Date: 01/09/2008

Two local NASCAR champions who understand the importance of blood and organ donation are teaming up to support the San Diego Blood Bank’s Life in the Fast Lane Gala, Saturday, January 19, at Allen’s Airways at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, CA from 6:30 to 10 pm.

The 2003 Champion of the Toyota All-Star Race, Austin Cameron, learned the importance of volunteer blood donors three years ago when he began undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Along with chemotherapy, he needed regular blood transfusions to stay healthy. Several blood drives were held on Austin’s behalf during his treatment, helping to ensure blood was available when he needed it.

David Beat, a two-time Whelen Weekly Champion, saw the difference he could make in someone’s life when he recently donated a kidney to help save racing friend Kevin Clark, a former track champion crew chief. Becky McBride, NASCAR Camping World Series West official, is planning the event along with the board, consisting of Cajon Speedway champions Ron Overman, Chuck Miinch of Bad Boy Racing, Mark Norris, Ron Esau the inaugural NASCAR Southwest Series champ and David Beat along with Austin Cameron.

Cameron and Beat, along with their families, are drawing on their experiences to help raise awareness about the importance of donating blood by inviting the racing community and the general public to participate in the Life in the Fast Lane Gala in reaching their goal of $85,000 to refurbish a San Diego Blood Mobile.

The night of champions, NASCAR-themed event, promises elegant cuisine, music, a silent and live auction, race car simulation games and lots of high-octane entertainment! Jerry Baxter, crew chief at MWR for David Reutimann is proud of brother-in-law David Beat for stepping up and giving this amazing gift. Top notch Sprint Cup teams RCR, Roush, Hendrick and Yates will be providing memorabilia for the auction. Autographs and great trips will also be up for bid to New York, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Disney World and Hawaii.

You may purchase tickets online by visiting www.sandiegobloodbank.org and clicking on David Beat’s car or call 1-800-4MY-SDBB, ext. 8176. For more information you may also contact event coordinator Becky McBride at bmcbride@onebox.com or call 619-518-6767.

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