Red Cross No. 16 Ford driven by Greg Biffle (Photo: Lars Ranger/E Group)

One of our newer clients is one of the older non-profits in our country. Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross is known for supporting communities through disaster relief, services that help the needy, support for military members and their families, educational programs that promote health and safety, international relief and development programs and the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products.

The Red Cross collects more than 40 percent of the country’s blood supply. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood so the need is constant. For the past four years, the Red Cross has asked NASCAR fans to help support their local communities by giving blood. The program, Red Cross Racing, features a generous donation from 3M as Greg Biffle drives the No. 16 Ford for the Red Cross.

This past weekend, Biffle drove the Red Cross car at the Brickyard 400 with a unique paint scheme highlighting the current critical need for blood. Hundreds of thousands of blood cells cascaded across the car, representing the more than 500,000 blood donors needed in August. Using the call to action of the hashtag #RefuelOurTank, which was displayed on the bumper, the Red Cross reminded NASCAR fans to give blood and help during this summer shortage.

Fast Horse worked with E Group, who is right around the corner from us, to promote Red Cross Racing. Among other things, we created an infographic highlighting the need for blood and tying it to the world’s biggest spectator sports facility — the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the race took place.  We also took quick videos of Greg Biffle asking racing fans to join him in giving blood and asked fans to share them with the hashtag #RefuelOurTank.

While the race is wrapped with Biffle finishing a promising seventh, the Red Cross continues its call for blood donations. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to find a donation center near you.