News Release - January 11, 2012

Contact:
Dianna Hemphill
(303) 361.2873
Dianna_Hemphill@bonfils.org

Blood Donors and Community Partners to be Honored by Bonfils Blood Center
Ninth Annual Awards and Recognition Reception

DENVER (Jan. 11, 2012) – In celebration of National Blood Donor Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Bonfils Blood Center will host its annual community partner appreciation reception on Monday, Jan. 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Donald R. Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Hundreds of blood, marrow/stem cell donors, financial contributors, blood drive host organizations, volunteers and community partners will be recognized for supporting patients in need in our community and beyond throughout the last year. For the eighth year in a row, 9News has generously partnered with Bonfils to help raise awareness about National Blood Donor Awareness Month.

In addition to the recognizing our supporters, attendees will hear from blood donor/recipient Dr. Laurie Sherlock. Sherlock was involved in a hit and run accident in December of 2010 in which she lost her 34-week-old baby. She has since turned her tragedy into hope for others by starting the Stop & Give Blood Drive campaign as well as sharing her story of survival.

Six special awards will be given at the reception to the following members of the Bonfils community who went above and beyond to support the blood center’s mission to save and enhance lives in 2011:

• Dr. Ben Galloway Community Partner Award – Presented to Dendreon whose innovative collaboration with Bonfils has given men with prostate cancer new hope. The Seattle-based pharmaceutical company created a “vaccine” called Provenge ® to help treat advanced stages of this type of cancer.
• Colorado Marrow Donor Program Outstanding Partner Award – Presented to Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. for a partnership that contributed to increased public awareness and participation in Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program.
• Foundation Leadership Award – Presented to the Boettcher Foundation for its continued, loyal and generous financial contributions benefitting the blood center.
• Outstanding Blood Drive Performance Award – Presented to Englewood High School for demonstrating significant achievements in growth and overall performance of the group’s blood drive program.
• Volunteer of the Year Award – Presented to Carol Hegarty for her leadership and support in coordinating blood drives at St. Thomas More Parish.

For nearly 70 years, Bonfils Blood Center has successfully managed the community blood supply and played an integral role in Colorado’s healthcare system. Bonfils Blood Center supplies blood to nearly 200 healthcare facilities and needs to collect nearly 3,000 blood donations weekly to meet the needs of the community and to be prepared for any unexpected events. For information about Bonfils Blood Center please call 303.366.2000 or visit www.bonfils.org or look for us on Facebook and Twitter.