News Release December 18, 2007

Contact:
Julie Scott

303.361.2873
Bonfils Blood Center

Santa Claus Gives the Gift of Life this Holiday Season

DENVER (Dec. 18, 2007) –Amidst making the list and checking it twice, Santa took a little time to make a big difference in the community by giving blood at Bonfils Blood Center's Lowry Community Donor Center on Dec. 18.

Now through Jan. 26, 2008, all Bonfils Blood Center donors who take time out to save lives will receive a cozy long-sleeved t-shirt in appreciation for their donation.

Recent snow fall in the Denver Metro area has slowed blood collections. Bonfils encourages the community to give the gift of life and a much needed boost to the blood supply in advance of the upcoming holiday.

"Blood donations decrease up to 20 percent during the holiday season as donors become busy with holiday events and travel," said Jessica Maitland, vice president of marketing and community operations for Bonfils Blood Center. "Blood donations from Santa and the community can go a long way to reversing this trend. And you'll receive a gift in return."

Bonfils Blood Center supplies blood to more than 200 health care facilities and needs to collect more than 4,000 blood donations each week 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.