News Release November 13, 2007

Contact:
Julie Scott

303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

Bonfils Blood Center’s Redundant Storage System Operational

Local governmental agency provides funding

DENVER (Nov 13, 2007) – In 2006, Bonfils Blood Center secured nearly $517,000 to install a dependable refrigerate blood storage system. $284,799 was received from Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) funds and $213,770 was received from the Federal Homeland Security grant by way of the Colorado All-Hazards North Central Region and the state of Colorado.

The North Central Region is a multi-disciplinary partnership facilitating a collaborative approach to all hazard preparedness within the 10 counties in and around the Denver metropolitan area. The members of the North Central Region include leaders from fire, law enforcement, medical, emergency medical services, emergency management & other first responder agencies. Each year the North Central Region coordinates the application for Federal funds based on the region’s all-hazards needs and requirements. Recognizing Bonfils as critical infrastructure for the region and the state, the North Central Region submitted, received and funded the purchase and installation of a back-up refrigeration and freezer system for the blood center.

Should the blood center’s current cooling systems malfunction, the new refrigerator/freezer unit provides the necessary redundancy. The unit also meets all regulatory compliance levels as mandated by the FDA.

Established in 1995, Bonfils Blood Center Foundation is the fundraising arm of Bonfils Blood Center and provides financial support for many of the blood center’s life-saving efforts. Bonfils Blood Center provides blood and blood products to more than 200 hospitals and 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 or Bonfils Blood Center Foundation please visit www.bonfils.org or call 303.366.2000.