News Release September 29, 2005

Be a Teammate for Life at Drive for Life VIII
Bonfils Blood Center and Denver Broncos team up for annual community blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 11

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (September 29, 2005) - Join Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos as a “teammate for life” at the eighth installment of Drive for Life - the state’s largest community blood drive. More than 2,800 people are expected to break the huddle to save lives at Drive for Life VIII Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

According to Vanessa Smith, daughter of Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Rod Smith she is able to live her life because of blood transfusions.

“I have sickle cell so my blood cells are not exactly shaped like there supposed to be. I get blood transfusions about once a month and I feel a lot better,” said Vanessa. “Blood donation is important, not only to me, but to everyone else who needs it too.”

Drive for Life spokesman Rod Smith agrees, “Once you’ve given a blood donation, you just saved somebody’s life.”

Denver Broncos players, including Vanessa’s dad, alumni and cheerleaders will be on hand throughout the day to thank blood donors and sign autographs. Donors will also be treated to free stadium fare and goodie bags filled with a commemorative Drive for Life VIII t-shirt, lapel pin and more. Participants will have the chance to win prizes from area business and restaurants which will be awarded throughout the day.

“In addition to creating a festive atmosphere for our regular blood donors, our partnership with the Denver Broncos helps us attract new donors who we hope will become ‘teammates for life’ by supporting Bonfils as a life-long blood donor,” said Jessica Maitland, senior vice president for Bonfils Blood Center. “With four percent of Colorado’s eligible donors giving blood, repeat blood donors are essential to the ongoing success of the blood center.”

Drive for Life VIII is presented by Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos and generously sponsored by CBS4, Sportsradio 950 The FAN and The Denver Post.

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.