Donors, Cat Fans Can Join Forces to Save Lives and Beat the Gators
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Blood donors and Cat fans can join forces to save lives this winter while also beating the Florida Gators in the annual Big Blue Slam blood drive, Jan. 26-30.
In addition to helping keep the blood supply strong for Kentucky patients, donors will receive a limited-edition Slam T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the second and third rounds of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Louisville.
Big Blue Slam is a friendly competition between Kentucky and Florida fans and Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) and LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Gainesville. Kentucky and Florida are tied three to three since beginning the yearly battle in 2009.
Besides proving they bleed blue at KBC donor centers and blood drives all week, donors will also have the opportunity to give blood in Rupp Arena on Jan. 28 from noon to 7 p.m. Rupp Arena donors, who can also take a shot or two on the same court the Wildcats win on, are asked to park in the lot off Manchester and Jefferson streets and enter the arena through the doors on that side. It’s the same entry the Kentucky team uses. Parking is free in that Manchester Street parking lot.
KBC donor centers (Andover and Beaumont in Lexington; Middletown in Louisville; Pikeville and Somerset) will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Slam. Donors this year have a new Jefferson County donation location opportunity. KBC recently opened the Middletown Donor Center at 12905 Shelbyville Road in the Middletown Station Shoppes near the Walmart Supercenter and Target.
To schedule a donation at a donor center, Rupp Arena or area blood drive, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.
Kentucky and Florida meet on the court Feb. 7 in Gainesville and March 7 at Rupp.
Blood donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo I.D. and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.