LEXINGTON, Ky. – The aftermath of this week’s winter weather continues to impact donations at Kentucky Blood Center during Big Blue Slam, putting Kentucky in a 400–124 hole after two days of the five-day blood battle with LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Florida.

More importantly, during an event KBC typically stocks the shelves with blood for the second half of winter, the blood supply is suffering significant losses amid winter-related drive cancellations and low donor turnout.

With additional drives canceled this week, KBC officials are calling upon donors to give blood at donor centers when conditions are safe to do so. All KBC donor centers (locations in Lexington, Louisville, Corbin, Frankfort, Pikeville and Somerset) will be open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

“We are feeling the effects of three straight days of minimal collections,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations at KBC. “We support state and local officials to use caution when going out in this winter weather. When donors feel it is safe to return to their routines, we are ready and waiting to collect blood.”

Although University of Kentucky classes are canceled on Wednesday, KBC will be collecting blood at the Gatton Student Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other public mobile drives are available for donors later this week.

Donors can schedule an appointment by visiting bit.ly/BigBlueSlam2026 or by calling 800.775.2522. All donors will receive a limited-edition Big Blue Slam T-shirt as a thank you for donating. All blood drives are subject to change because of the winter conditions. Donors are encouraged to check before donating. Donors with appointments will be notified of changes.

Patients at more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky – including UK HealthCare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph, Appalachian Regional Healthcare and more – rely on blood donated at KBC. Blood transfusions are used for a wide range of treatments, including cancer, traumas, diseases, organ transplants, surgeries and much more. Although winter weather can hinder collections, the need for blood in the healthcare system doesn’t slow down.

Blood donors must be at least 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.