Kentucky Blood Center Donors Post Their Best First-Day Turnout Since 2019
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky fans set the tone on the opening day of Big Blue Crush with a strong turnout and an early lead over Tennessee fans in the 37th annual blood battle.
Donors heeded Kentucky Blood Center’s calls to get in early in the week and help shore up the blood supply with 453 donors packing donor centers and mobile drives on day one of the five-day competition. Tennessee’s MEDIC Regional Blood Center had 387 donors on Monday.
KBC’s 453 donors is the best opening-day turnout since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic stunted collections at the annual event.
“We’re really pleased with the fast start, but we are just getting started with,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations at KBC. “Tennessee consistently stacks bigger numbers as the event goes on, and we could potentially have our first winter system coming in later this week. Knowing that, it’s critical we turn in big numbers early in this year’s competition to not only build a good lead, but also to ensure we have the lifesaving blood products we need this week and next.”
Stocking the shelves with a healthy supply before the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is at the heart of the friendly rivalry. Donations historically dwindle next week because of the Thanksgiving closure and holiday-related travel. Big Blue Crush, started in 1988, was created to counter the expected losses over the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond with a proactive push from two passionate fan bases.
Fueling the big first day was a strong turnout from students, staff, faculty and others who donated on campus at the University of Kentucky. Monday’s campus drives had more than 100 donors, nearly a quarter of KBC’s opening total.
All eight of KBC’s donor centers will be open Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., plus KBC will be back on UK’s campus at the Gatton Student Center and William T. Young Library. Public mobile drives are also available in Madison, Wayne and Rockcastle counties.
Donors can schedule an appointment at any location by visiting bit.ly/BigBlueCrush2024 or calling 800.775.2522. All donors will receive a Big Blue Crush long-sleeve shirt and a chance to win two tickets to the Kentucky-Louisville football game at Kroger Field on Nov. 30. Donors who visit one of KBC’s eight donor centers will also receive a coupon for a free pint of Blue Bell ice cream (while supplies last). Appointments are highly encouraged during Big Blue Crush, but walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.
Kentucky fans lead Big Blue Crush with a 21-14-1 record, including victories in four of the last five competitions.
Donations with KBC serve more than 70 hospitals in the Commonwealth. A healthy blood supply is critical to treating patients with cancer, providing support for surgeries, giving premature babies the gift of life, treating diseases such as sickle cell, saving trauma patients and so much more.
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.
