News Release March 22, 2006

Denver Woman to Donate 50th Gallon of Blood on Mar. 22
Bonfils’ donor becomes second female to reach 50-gallon milestone

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

GOLDEN (March 22, 2006) - A local woman, Joellyn (Jodi) Muser will become Bonfils Blood Center’s second woman to donate 50-gallons of blood on Wednesday, Mar. 22 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

To celebrate this milestone and to show appreciation for Muser’s outstanding contribution to the community, Bonfils Blood Center will hold a recognition reception for her beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m. at the Denver West Community Donor Center located at 13952 Denver West Pkwy., Building 53, Suite 335 in Golden, Colo.

According to Muser she set the goal to donate 50-gallons years ago and has been counting down to this landmark for a year. Muser has been donating whole blood and platelets for years, going to her local donor center every two weeks and staying for up to two hours. To reach 50-gallons, a donor must give 400 units of blood and blood products. Each donation can save or enhance the lives of up to three patients, so Muser’s donations have had the potential to help 1,200 people though the years.

Ten members of Muser’s Red Hat Society Ladies, in full regalia, will attend a presentation and a luncheon in honor of this achievement. This is the first time a Red Hat Society function has taken place at a high gallon blood donation presentation. The Red Hat Society’s mission is to gather together to have fun and enjoy life and what it has to offer while cherishing each other.

A whole blood donor can give blood six times a year. At this rate, it would take 50 years to donate 400 units. Platelet donors are able to donate more frequently, every two weeks, so the milestone can be reached in just a few years. It can take up to two hours to donate platelets, so the time invested at each visit is greater.

For more than 60 years, Bonfils Blood Center has supported the community blood supply and has played an instrumental role in the lives of patients in need throughout Colorado and beyond. 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.