News Release June 10, 2005

Bonfils Blood Center to Launch Ambassadors Program
Blood center recruits volunteers to spread the word about blood donation

For more information contact:
Julie Wedding 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (June 10, 2005) - Are you a blood recipient? Has a family member or someone you know received donated blood? Are you a loyal blood donor? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could be part of a new volunteer program at Bonfils Blood Center. The blood center’s new Ambassadors Program gives blood recipients and donors the chance to impart the importance of blood donation by sharing their stories with the community.

Every two seconds someone in the United States receives a blood transfusion and nearly four percent of Colorado’s eligible blood donors actually give blood. Now, Bonfils is launching a program aimed at promoting saving and enhancing lives through blood donation. Bonfils Ambassadors will have the opportunity to represent Bonfils Blood Center through public speaking at various civic organizations, staffing booths at health fairs and festivals or by appearing in Bonfils publications to name a few. Instruction and training will be provided.

If you or someone you know is interested in being a Bonfils’ Ambassador or would like more information, please contact Brea Olson at 303.363.2236 or Brea_Olson@bonfils.org.

Bonfils Blood Center supplies blood to more than 115 healthcare facilities and needs to collect 4,350 blood donations weekly to meet the needs of the community and to be prepared for any unexpected events. For information about scheduling a blood donation, please visit www.bonfils.org or call (303) 363-2300 or (800) 365.0006 option 2.