News Release January 04, 2010

Contact:

Julie Scott

(303) 361-2873

Julie_Scott@bonfils.org

Bonfils Blood Center Recognizes Supporters

Event coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

DENVER (Jan. 4, 2010) – In celebration of National Blood Donor Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Bonfils Blood Center is pleased to host its annual appreciation reception on Monday, Jan. 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Donald R. Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Hundreds of blood and marrow donors, financial contributors, blood drive host organizations, volunteers and community partners will be recognized for supporting patients in need in our community and beyond throughout 2009.

In addition to the recognizing our supporters, attendees will witness a video presentation featuring 46-year-old Lupe Cervantes and his struggle to beat lymphoma. Throughout his fight, Cervantes has received multiple platelet transfusions from generous Colorado blood donors and recently teamed up with Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program (CMDP) to encourage the Hispanic community and the community-at-large to give hope to other patients battling blood-related diseases. Cervantes and his family urge the public to help by joining the Be The Match Registry or contributing funds to allow others to join. In the last 20 years, CMDP has added more than 75,000 potential donors to the registry and facilitated nearly 450 marrow and stem cell donations and cord blood transplants from local donors for patients in 26 countries.

Eight special awards will be given at the reception to the following members of the Bonfils community who went above and beyond to support the blood center’s mission to save and enhance lives in 2009:

Dr. Ben Galloway Community Partner Award– Presented to KeyBank for demonstrating exemplary commitment to Bonfils Blood Center during the last year, which resulted in an enhanced understanding of Bonfils and increased participation in our programs.
CMDP Outstanding Partner Award– Presented to the Colorado Rapids for a partnership that contributed to increased public awareness and participation in Bonfils’ Colorado Marrow Donor Program
Foundation Leadership Award – Presented to Barry and Cleta McCann for their loyal and generous support both through blood donations and financial contributions benefitting the blood center.
Outstanding Blood Drive Performance Award – Presented to Lockheed Martin – Orion for demonstrating significant achievements in growth and overall performance of the group’s blood drive program.
Outstanding College Blood Drive Award– Presented to Colorado State University for strong support of the university’s blood drive program among students, faculty and staff.
Outstanding Youth Service Award– Presented to Connor Randall senior at Ralston Valley High School. This annual award is presented to an individual 23 years old or younger who has supported Bonfils in a volunteer capacity throughout the last year.
Volunteer Liaison of the Year Award– Presented to Mark Woell for his leadership and support in coordinating blood drives with Bonfils at MDC Holdings Inc.
Volunteers of the Year Award– Presented to Clinton Smythe, a 34-gallon blood donor who regularly supports the Heritage Eagle Bend community blood drive in a volunteer capacity.

For more than 65 years, Bonfils Blood Center has successfully managed the community blood supply and played an integral role in Colorado’s healthcare system. Bonfils Blood Center supplies blood to nearly 200 healthcare facilities and needs to collect more than 3,300 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 call 303.366.2000 or visit www.bonfils.org.