News Release December 21, 2006

Holiday Blizzard Impacts Community Blood Supply
Individuals encouraged to make donation appointment

For more information contact:
Julie Scott 303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

DENVER (December 21, 2006) - Bonfils Blood Center will re-open its community donor centers and mobile blood drives at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 22. The blood center was forced to cancel its blood drives and to close its community donor centers across the Front Range Dec. 20 and 21 as a result of poor weather and road conditions from the holiday blizzard. Colorado's blood supply anticipates a loss of nearly 1,400 units of blood due to blood drive cancellations and center closures. Bonfils' current blood supply level sits at just over a three-day supply, yet the blood center would like to see the levels elevated to a comfortable seven to 10-day supply in order to be prepared for any unforeseen events such as this.

As road conditions improve, potential blood donors are encouraged over the next week to help restock the community blood supply by giving blood at one of Bonfils’ nine community donor centers or numerous mobile blood drives throughout the state. Call the Bonfils Blood Center appointment center at 303.363.2300 to schedule a donation appointment. Or, visit www.bonfils.org to find the hours and location of a donor center near you.

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. Blood donors who give blood now through Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 will receive a Bonfils Blood Center 12-month wall calendar in appreciation of their donation.

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 or (800) 365-0006.