News Release August 22, 2007
Contact:
Julie Scott
303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center
Celebrate a Mile High Milestone with Blood Donation at Drive for Life X
Bonfils Blood Center and Denver Broncos set to host 10th annual community blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 2
DENVER (Aug. 22, 2007) – Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos invite the community to celebrate a mile high milestone by giving blood at the 10th annual Drive for Life – Colorado’s largest single-day blood drive. Bonfils, preparing for another year of record-breaking attendance, estimates that 3,000 volunteers will suit up to save lives at Drive for Life X on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
“Over the last nine years more than 17,000 members of our community have come forward to make blood donations at Drive for Life – donations that helped save and enhance the lives of 51,000 patients in need,” said Jessica Maitland, vice president of marketing and community operations for Bonfils Blood Center. “Not to mention the invaluable support from the Denver Broncos Football Club that has made this drive a success year after year. Our goal is to save more lives and create more milestones with the Broncos and our community for years to come.”
Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Rod Smith knows firsthand the importance of blood donation because his daughter Vanessa receives frequent blood transfusions to treat sickle cell disease. That personal connection has led to his support of the drive since its inception. Throughout the years Smith has rallied his teammates of past and present to champion a cause close to his heart.
As in past years, Denver Broncos players, 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 throughout the day.
Additionally, Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program will once again 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.
Drive for Life X 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.
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