News Release October 31, 2005

Appellate Court Rejects Unlawful Discrimination Claim; Favors Bonfils Blood Center

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (October 31, 2005) - Bonfils Blood Center recently learned that the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has affirmed the summary judgment in its favor in the case of John Couture v. Belle Bonfils Memorial Blood Center (DBA Bonfils Blood Center). In an opinion authored by Circuit Judge Stephen H. Anderson, the Court of Appeals rejected the claim that Bonfils had engaged in unlawful discrimination.

In September 2004, Mr. Couture, a former Bonfils employee who had resigned from his employment, appealed the United States District Court?s August 31, 2004 summary judgment in favor of Bonfils Blood Center. District Judge Robert E. Blackburn had dismissed all of Mr. Couture's claims with prejudice, finding that he had suffered no adverse employment action.

Bonfils Blood Center is pleased that all three members of the appellate panel agreed with the lower court's conclusion. The Tenth Circuit's Order and Judgment states, “We agree with the district court that Couture's failure to demonstrate that he suffered an adverse employment action is fatal to his claims.”

“It is within Bonfils Blood Center's core values to treat our employees fairly and with respect as they are the most valuable resource in our commitment to the community,” said William C. Dickey, M.D., president and CEO of Bonfils Blood Center. “For more than 60 years our focus has been on the safety of our generous blood donors, the safety of the patients that receive it and the maintenance of an abundant and safe blood supply to support the needs of our community.”

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.