LEXINGTON, Ky. – In what’s shaping up to be another down-to-the-wire Big Blue Crush, Kentucky donors clawed back Wednesday and closed within 10 donors of Tennessee in the 38th annual blood battle.

Donors with Kentucky Blood Center outpaced Tennessee’s MEDIC Regional Blood Center for the second time in three days, 428–402 on Wednesday, but the Volunteers lead Kentucky in the overall competition 1,270–1,260 thanks to Tuesday’s strong showing. 

With the spirit of competition motivating the respective donor bases to stock the blood shelves for the Thanksgiving holiday, final bragging rights will be determined over the final two days. 

“As is often the case in this blood battle, this is going to come down to the end,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president for external relations. “We hope both sides finish this competition with a healthy blood supply, but if we want to retain the trophy and continue our winning streak, it’s going to take all of us. If you haven’t donated yet, you could be the difference in determining a winner, and you will certainly be the difference for a local life over the holiday season.”

Kentucky is riding a three-year winning streak in the Big Blue Crush and leads the overall series 22-14-1, but the leader of the last four competitions has possessed the lead after Wednesday. KBC donors will have to buck that trend to keep their winning ways intact.

Regardless of the competition results, donor turnout over the final two days will be important for the 70-plus local hospitals KBC provides blood to. Big Blue Crush is a proactive push to counter historically low donor turnout over Thanksgiving week, and KBC was in short supply of lifesaving blood products heading into the week. 

Donors hoping to make an impact on the competition and on local lives will have ample opportunity to Thursday. Mobile drives will be on the University of Kentucky’s campus again and in Cumberland, Lincoln, Morgan and Russell counties. Most KBC donor centers will be open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A full list of Big Blue Crush drives available to the public are available at bit.ly/KBC_BigBlueCrush2025. Donors can schedule an appointment at that link or call 800.775.2522. Appointments are highly encouraged during Big Blue Crush. Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.

All donors will be thanked with a heathered long-sleeve shirt. 

One in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime for a number of medical needs, including surgeries, organ transplants, diseases, blood disorders, cancer, childbirth and more. Because blood cannot be manufactured, the only way to provide lifesaving blood products to those in need is through the generosity of donors. 

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, show a photo I.D. and meet additional requirements.