Tennessee Surges in Front on Day 2 of Big Blue Crush
EXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky donors improved on their first-day score in the 38th annual Big Blue Crush, but Tennessee’s record day on Tuesday flipped the leaderboard.
Tennessee registered 468 donors – its largest single-day showing in the annual blood battle since 2021 – for a two-day total of 868. Kentucky registered 420 donors on Tuesday and 832 overall to fall behind with three days left in the competition.
“Tennessee historically gets stronger as the week goes on in this event,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president for external relations. “Today was a reminder that even though we’ve had a lot of success in this rivalry of late, it’s going to take a collective effort by Big Blue Nation to beat the Volunteers.”
Win or lose, the real goal this week is to put blood on the shelves for local hospitals for the Thanksgiving holiday. Shortened hours, low donor turnout and the chance of an increase in transfusions during Thanksgiving week puts a significant strain on the blood supply, which was already low entering Big Blue Crush.
There will be several opportunities on Wednesday for donors to make an impact on the competition. KBC’s eight donor centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and mobile drives will be in Adair, Casey and Franklin counties. KBC will continue to collect blood at the University of Kentucky as well at Lewis Honors College and the William T. Young Library.
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.
The Big Blue Crush shirt this year, a collector’s item for many, is a heathered long-sleeve. All donors will get a shirt as a thank you for boosting the blood supply.
Kentucky leads Tennessee in the series 22-14,1, including wins in each of the last three years and 13 of the last 15 overall.
KBC provides blood to more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky and is the exclusive provider of blood to UK HealthCare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph, Appalachian Regional Healthcare and 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.
