LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky and Florida won’t just compete on the hardwood this year. They will also be competing Feb. 2-9 in the first-ever Big Blue Slam, a blood drive competition between UK and Florida fans.
“We hope this will begin a popular blood drive rivalry, just like the rivalry on the basketball court,” said Bill Reed, Kentucky Blood Center president and CEO. “It should be a great competition, and we know donors will be fired up to beat Florida.”
All donors will receive the inaugural Big Blue Slam T-shirt while supplies last. Donors will also be eligible to win one of eight Wildcat Fan Packs. One will be given away each day.
Kentucky Blood Center officials hope Big Blue Slam will increase the blood supply, which has taken a hit due to recent weather.
LifeSouth Blood Center in Gainesville accepted the challenge from Kentucky to put fans to the test. Big Blue Slam replaces Game for Life, which was a basketball-related blood drive competition against Arkansas.
Blood donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found on the Kentucky Blood Center’s web site, kybloodcenter.org.
Those wanting to donate blood or to schedule an appointment to donate can call 1-800-775-2522 or visit kybloodcenter.org for blood drive and donor center details.
The Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. In the past year, KBC processed and distributed 82,000 red blood cell units and 127,000 blood components in total.