Nationals and Bone Marrow Drive This Weekend!
(Facility Hopes To Help "Jes Us 4 Jackie" In Registering African-Americans As Donors)
Madison, IL - Gateway International Raceway will once again be host to the largest African American
motorsports event in the world when the United Black Drag Racers Association returns with the
U.B.D.R.A. Nationals on September 17-19. As part of the festivities, the National Bone Marrow Donor
program will be on-hand to register much needed African-American donors on Saturday and Sunday.
The Local Bone Marrow branch of St. Louis will have tents set up looking to register potential donors
through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). You can join the NMDP Registry as a potential
marrow or blood stem cell donor if you are between the ages of 18 and 60, in good general health and
willing to be available if you are ever identified as a match for a patient in need.
The Jes Us 4 Jackie (www.jesus4jackie.com) campaign was formed to bring attention to the need for
marrow especially from Black and African American donors, and donors of mixed heritage. Tissue
types are inherited, much like hair or eye color, so patients are more likely to find a matching donor
within their own racial or ethnic groups. The namesake of the foundation, Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue,
along with some of St. Louis' Hip-Hop elite are expected to attend the U.B.D.R.A. Nationals and Black
Sunday.
Black Sunday began over 20 years ago as a race for bragging rights when the challenge was issued to
"show up or shut up". Black racers from all over the St. Louis Metro Area came with families, cars, and
barbecue pits in tow to begin what would become known as "Black Sunday." The event, now attracting
over 30,000 people to Gateway, is open to racers of all nationalities and has grown in attendance at a
rate of 48% per year. Drag racing enthusiasts from 48 states are expected to attend the event. Fans will
enjoy the special event races and exhibitions being planned as the racers go all out for the large prize
purses being awarded! Sponsors of the classes are Dodge (Quick 16 cars - 1/8 mile), Casino Queen
(Trophy), The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Junior Dragster), Charter Communications (Super Pro) and
Urban Adult Contemporary radio station Majic 104.9 FM (Quick 16 motorcycles).
Ticket prices are $10 on Friday, $15 on Saturday, and $20 on Sunday. 3-Day passes are also available
for $35. Admission for children 5-12 is $5 a day, while under 5 are free. For more information log onto
www.gatewayraceway.com or check out www.ubdra.org.
(Facility Hopes To Help "Jes Us 4 Jackie" In Registering African-Americans As Donors)
Madison, IL - Gateway International Raceway will once again be host to the largest African American
motorsports event in the world when the United Black Drag Racers Association returns with the
U.B.D.R.A. Nationals on September 17-19. As part of the festivities, the National Bone Marrow Donor
program will be on-hand to register much needed African-American donors on Saturday and Sunday.
The Local Bone Marrow branch of St. Louis will have tents set up looking to register potential donors
through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). You can join the NMDP Registry as a potential
marrow or blood stem cell donor if you are between the ages of 18 and 60, in good general health and
willing to be available if you are ever identified as a match for a patient in need.
The Jes Us 4 Jackie (www.jesus4jackie.com) campaign was formed to bring attention to the need for
marrow especially from Black and African American donors, and donors of mixed heritage. Tissue
types are inherited, much like hair or eye color, so patients are more likely to find a matching donor
within their own racial or ethnic groups. The namesake of the foundation, Jacqueline "Jackie" Donahue,
along with some of St. Louis' Hip-Hop elite are expected to attend the U.B.D.R.A. Nationals and Black
Sunday.
Black Sunday began over 20 years ago as a race for bragging rights when the challenge was issued to
"show up or shut up". Black racers from all over the St. Louis Metro Area came with families, cars, and
barbecue pits in tow to begin what would become known as "Black Sunday." The event, now attracting
over 30,000 people to Gateway, is open to racers of all nationalities and has grown in attendance at a
rate of 48% per year. Drag racing enthusiasts from 48 states are expected to attend the event. Fans will
enjoy the special event races and exhibitions being planned as the racers go all out for the large prize
purses being awarded! Sponsors of the classes are Dodge (Quick 16 cars - 1/8 mile), Casino Queen
(Trophy), The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Junior Dragster), Charter Communications (Super Pro) and
Urban Adult Contemporary radio station Majic 104.9 FM (Quick 16 motorcycles).
Ticket prices are $10 on Friday, $15 on Saturday, and $20 on Sunday. 3-Day passes are also available
for $35. Admission for children 5-12 is $5 a day, while under 5 are free. For more information log onto
www.gatewayraceway.com or check out www.ubdra.org.
