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December 17, 2009

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All participants will receive a limited-edition book and autograph from local hero and author Brian Boyle

Howard County to Host Special Red Cross Holiday Blood Drive

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman is pleased to announce that the County will be hosting a special Red Cross blood drive with Maryland hero and author, Brian Boyle, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, December 21 at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. Appointments are required.

“Blood is the most important gift we can give others, especially during the holiday season,” said County Executive Ulman. “Brian’s story shows how critical adequate blood supplies are in emergencies.”

In 2004, Boyle was in a near-fatal car accident, requiring 36 blood transfusions and 13 plasma treatments throughout his many operations. During his miraculous recovery, Boyle died eight times; and when he finally emerged from a medically-induced coma, doctors predicted that he may never walk again. Boyle, who published his autobiography Iron Heart this fall, will be in attendance at the Blood Drive to thank donors, autograph books, take photos and meet with fans, friends, and family who helped him in his recovery. Limited-edition copies of Iron Heart will be provided to all blood drive participants.

Today, five and a half years after his accident, Boyle is a competitive marathoner and Ironman tri-athlete, and a student at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He recently received the 2009 Spokesperson of the Year Award for the Red Cross Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region and joined the Lance Armstrong LIVESTRONG Foundation team.

“When I needed it, the American Red Cross was there with the blood transfusions and plasma treatments that saved my life in a situation where time was of the essence,” said Boyle. “Blood donors made this possible; by giving just a little bit of their time they gave me a lifetime and, for that I am forever grateful.”

For more information about Boyle, visit his blog at brianboyle.wordpress.com or website at www.iron-heart.org. To schedule an appointment or for more information about donating blood, visit the Red Cross website at www.my-redcross.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.