Oct 6, 2008 6:37 pm US/Mountain
New Broncos Donor Club Attracts New Blood Donors
Written by CBS4 special projects producer Libby Smith
DENVER (CBS4) ―
"Drive for Life XI" is set to be the state's largest single-day blood drive. When Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos teamed up to put the drive on 11 years ago, one of the primary goals was to attract new blood donors.
"I'm proud to say that in all the years of Drive for Life, we are nearing 5,000 first-time blood donors who've come out and given it a try at Drive for Life, so that really is one of the successful components of that drive," said Jessica Maitland, Vice President of Marketing for Bonfils Blood Center.
Once those new donors find out how easy it is to give blood Bonfils hopes to turn them into life-long donors. Last year at Drive for Life they started a new program to help bring those people back. As a Broncos Club Member, the first-time donors get special gifts and incentives each time they come back to donate during the first year.
"I thought that was great, that's pretty exciting," said Jan Woodrow, a Broncos Donor Club member for this last year.
Woodrow has overcome a fear of needles to become a regular donor since Drive for Life X.
"I make myself come, yes, because of the need of it," Woodrow told CBS4.
She is acutely aware of that need. When her daughter was born she needed donated blood, and her brother needed transfusions during chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
"I think it was the first time I donated. I thought maybe somebody's baby will benefit from this, and that helps," Woodrow said.
In addition to knowing how important her donation is, Woodrow is inspired to return each time she's eligible because she gets special gifts including: signed pictures of Broncos players, a special Broncos Donor Club t-shirt and a Broncos Country flag. These little incentives may help even the most nervous donors give blood.
"If I can overcome doing this, I think anyone can," Woodrow added.
Drive for Life XI will be held Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the club level of Invesco Field at Mile High.
Additional Resources:Join CBS4, Bonfils Blood Center and the Denver Broncos at Drive for Life XI on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on the club level of Invesco Field at Mile High.
Click here for more information.
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