News Release December 07, 2006

Save the Date to Save a Life
Community encouraged to make life-saving commitment during National Blood Donor Month this January

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (December 07, 2006) - Kick-off a yearlong commitment to saving lives by giving blood to Bonfils Blood Center this January. Blood donations help kids with cancer feel better and save the lives of car accident victims, so make a plan to save a life this during National Blood Donor Month.

Winter remains one of the most challenging seasons to maintain Colorado's community blood supply. Blood donations decrease up to 20 percent in the winter months due to travel, poor weather conditions and colds and flu, however, the need remains constant. This January Bonfils Blood Center commemorates National Blood Donor Month by encouraging the community to help reverse this trend by scheduling an appointment to give blood.

In appreciation of their donation, donors who give blood Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 through Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 will receive a Bonfils Blood Center 12-month wall calendar. Whole blood donors are eligible to donate up to six times per year while platelet donors can donate up to 24 times per year. The 2007 Bonfils calendar – full of important life-saving dates like Donate Life Month and National Marrow Awareness Month – is a great tool to help donors plan a yearlong blood donation schedule.

Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to give back to your community so save the date to save lives in 2007. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (303) 363-2300.

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 Bonfils Blood Center, please visit www.bonfils.org or call (303) 366-2000.