Members of the University of Denver community contributed blood last week during a blood drive organized by the CenterB forB Service Learning and CommunityB EngagementB andB Bonfils Blood Center.

Glenn Fee of the service learning center said, “Our goal is to involve the DU community in community work on many levels.”

He added that donating blood provides a “simple and meaningful way” for busy members of the university community to contribute to a worthy cause.

“IfB someone can’t spend time mentoring or working directly in the community, this is an additional way for them to give back to the greater Denver community,” Fee said.

Founded in 1943, Bonfils Blood Center is a nonprofit organization that commits to bettering the lives of people in the community through the means of blood donations, marrow donor screening, and research.

Bonfils is the only community blood supplier in Colorado.

Every week, Bonfils requires 4,350 volunteers to donate blood to fill the state’s need for whole blood.

Each donation of blood has the potential to help up to three patients with a variety of life-threatening illnesses.

Since modern technology has not yet evolved to the point where blood can be created synthetically, healthy people are the only available source.

“There are just so many people out there that need donated blood. It is unconscionable not to give blood,” said one donor who viewed giving blood not as a humanitarian gesture but rather as a duty.

“I’m so excited. It’s something that is really easy to do and you get to help people,” said another donor.

Some people maintain the belief that they are ineligible to donate because of medical or family history.

The Bonfils Blood Center’s Web site, www.bonfils.org, as well as their hotline, (303) 366-2000, will answer most questions from those who are considering a blood donation.