DENVER -- Every Tuesday throughout the season, the Broncos head into the community, volunteering time at Boys & Girls Clubs, serving food at the Rescue Mission and plenty more.
This Tuesday, a group of 33 Broncos -- not to mention dozens more alumni and cheerleaders -- headed to Sports Authority Field at Mile High not only to support the community, but to help save some lives.
The 14th annual Drive for Live blood drive -- a partnership between the Broncos and Bonfils Blood Center -- was held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"To see all the people, it's been very impressive," Weber said. "The fans are great -- they've very passionate. And it's also obviously for a great cause."
Since 1998, Drive for Life has grown into the largest single-day blood drive in the history of Colorado, and one of the largest in the nation.
And the timing of the event -- typically in October -- is no coincidence.
"Part of the reason we put the Drive for Life in the month of October is it really helps us prepare for those difficult winter months," said Jessica Maitland, Bonfils vice president of marketing and community operations. "We don't think about it, but as those winter holidays come up -- Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's -- people don't have as much time to give blood and our donors become busy. If we can do a big event like this in October, it helps us prepare for those more difficult months."
Nearly 1,500 people attended Tuesday's event, and according to Bonfils, the donations will help save more than 3,600 lives.
Among the donors were several Broncos, including
Other players signed autographs and greeted fans as they prepared to donate blood.
"This is one event you know that you're going to get a good turnout,"
The veteran cornerback said he continues to return to the event year after year for one simple reason.
"Because I know how it saves lives," he said. "Any time you can impact somebody else's life like this, you do it."
HOW TO DONATE
For those who couldn't make it out to this year's Drive for Life, there are still plenty of ways to set up time to donate blood. It doesn't take much longer than 20 minutes, and appointments can be made at any Bonfils donor center or mobile blood drive.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event.
Visit Bonfils.org for more information.
