Colorado Blood Donors Asked to Help with National Shortage

January 16, 2004

Although Bonfils Blood Center is not experiencing a critical blood shortage, much of the rest of the nation is. Factors like holiday travel and activities, coupled with recent severe weather have contributed to a decline in blood donations in many communities throughout the nation. The shortage is so severe in some areas that elective surgeries are being canceled to conserve blood. Colorado is being asked by other communities throughout the country to help with additional units of blood.

Bonfils Blood Center always ensures that the needs of Colorado are met first, and then shares blood, if possible, with other communities. Bonfils is presently able to meet the needs of Colorado, but our limited reserves are impacting our ability to share with other communities unless additional donors come forward. "The Colorado community, due to their great generosity, has been in a position to provide support to other states in need many times in the past," says Tom Puckett, Chief Operating Officer of Bonfils Blood Center. Bonfils is encouraging Colorado donors to help with this national crisis by donating blood.

Bonfils Blood Center supplies blood to more than 115 hospital and healthcare facilities. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, please call 303.363.2300 or visit www.bonfils.org.