OFFICE OF LT. GOV. BARBARA O'BRIEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008

Contact:

Ellen Dumm, 303.866.6361, ellen.dumm@state.co.us

Julie Scott, 303.361.2873, Julie_Scott@bonfils.org

State Officials to recognize Donate Life Month with Annual Blood Drive

On Monday, April 14, 2008, the Office of Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and the Governor's Commission on Community Service will join several state officials and the Bonfils Blood Center at the Capitol for a blood drive as part of recognizing Donate Life Month.  During the month of April, also known as Donate Life Month, Bonfils will be looking for 16,000 volunteers to give blood in order to meet the needs of patients undergoing cancer therapy, requiring emergency surgery and receiving other medical treatments. The Office of Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien along with the Governor's Commission on Community Service, Senators Betty Boyd and Bill Cadman, and Representatives Anne McGihon and Spencer Swalm will host the blood drive to support the blood center's life-saving efforts on Monday, Apr. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. near the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol. Call 303.363.2300 or visit www.bonfils.org to schedule your appointment today.

"Giving blood takes so little of our time and effort, but it can literally save a life," said Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien.  "There are very few of our day-to-day actions we can say that about, so taking time out of our day for the blood drive is important."

Donate Life Month is a time designated to raise awareness about the need for blood, marrow, organ and tissue donation and to celebrate the generosity of those who have made the commitment to be life-saving donors. Blood donation is only one way to "donate life" this April. Representatives from Bonfils' Colorado Marrow Donor Program and the Donor Awareness Council will be at the capitol on April 14 as well to register would-be donors to the National Marrow Donor Registry and the Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

The Governor's Commission on Community Service, under the Office of Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, promotes the ethic of service and volunteerism throughout Colorado, and carries out initiatives in the areas of mentoring and literacy. The Governor's Commission supports and promotes volunteer service to all citizens as an effective means to address community needs and fosters a collective commitment to lifelong community service. To learn more about the Gov's Commission on Community Service, go to http://www.colorado.gov/gccs.