Kentucky Extends Crush Lead with Big Day 3 Turnout
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky donors have sent a strong message through the first three days of the 2023 Big Blue Crush competition: They want to win the 36th edition, and they’ve put themselves in a decent – but still uncertain – position with a lead through Wednesday’s results.
With improving turnouts for three consecutive days, Kentucky leads Tennessee 1,289-1,220 (total donors) in the annual blood battle, which calls on people from both states to roll up their sleeves before Thanksgiving holiday week.
Another 445 donors showed up at Kentucky Blood Center locations Wednesday to save lives. MEDIC Regional Blood Center in Tennessee registered 436 donors.
“In a competition like this, you want to get better each day, and our donors have done that,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations at KBC. “If we maintain that trend through Friday, I like our chances, but we can’t assume that the positive momentum will take care of itself, especially as Tennessee trends upward as well. Donors who haven’t had a chance to participate yet will need to do their part to help us win this competition. We would like to see stronger turnout at our donor centers, so we know we can see additional improvement Thursday.”
Appointments are available at all locations, including KBC’s eight donor centers (open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), as well as public drives at the University of Kentucky Gatton Center (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Living Word Ministries in Cumberland County (12:30 to 6:30 p.m.) and Casey County Cooperative Extension Office in Liberty, Kentucky (12:30 to 6 p.m.). Donors can view available times and make their appointment by visiting kybloodcenter.org/events/big-blue-crush-2023, or by calling 800.775.2522.
All donors who give blood will receive a Big Blue Crush T-shirt.
Competition is at the heart of the annual rivalry, which Kentucky leads 20-14-1 overall, but both states will feel like winners if donors turn out in big numbers and supply local hospitals with lifesaving blood they will need next week. The Thanksgiving holiday week, like many other holidays, yields low donor turnout.
Blood donated at KBC stays local to supply more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky. With someone in need of blood in the U.S. every two seconds, blood is in constant demand.
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. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
