News Release September 26, 2006

Make a Life-saving Play at Drive for Life IX
Bonfils Blood Center and Denver Broncos team up for annual community blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 24

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (September 26, 2006) - Denver Broncos fans and all Coloradoans are encouraged to make a life-saving play at the ninth annual Denver Broncos and Bonfils Blood Center community blood drive – Drive for Life. More than 2,500 playmakers are expected to align in life-saving formation at Drive for Life IX Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Bonfils and the Denver Broncos begin a new rivalry this year by competing pint for pint with the Houston Texans. The Texans, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, will host their community blood on the same day as Drive for Life.

“We’ve been challenged before and have come out on top,” says Rod Smith, Denver Broncos wide receiver and Drive for Life spokesman. “Now let’s show the Texans’ fans that we can’t be beat. Give blood at Drive for Life you’ll not only help clinch a win in the blood drive challenge, but you will also help save lives.”

Denver Broncos players, including Rod Smith, 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 food and goodie bags filled with a commemorative Drive for Life t-shirt, lapel pin and more. Participants will have the chance to win raffle prizes from area sports teams, businesses and restaurants which will be awarded throughout the day.

Additionally, for the first time, Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program will offer free registration to any Drive for Life attendee interested in joining the National Marrow Donor Registry to support patients with blood-related diseases such as leukemia. The marrow donor registration process involves completing a health history and consent form and swabbing the inside of your cheek to collect a sample of cells for initial testing. Would-be donors must be in general good health and between the ages of 18 and 60. Visit www.bonfils.org for more information about becoming a marrow donor.

“Bonfils has welcomed thousands of new donors to its family as a result of our near-decade partnership with the Denver Broncos. In 2005 alone Drive for Life hosted 689 first-time donors, representing 30 percent of the attendees,” said Jessica Maitland, vice president of marketing and community operations for Bonfils Blood Center. “Every two seconds someone in the United States needs a transfusion of donated blood. Therefore, more blood donors are needed every day to help save lives in our community.”

Drive for Life IX 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 200 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.