KBC needs UK fans to donate Nov. 14-18 to defeat the Vols in annual competition
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Despite last month’s disappointing loss to Tennessee on the football field, Kentucky fans can score the all-important win vs. the Volunteers next week in the 35th annual Big Blue Crush, a yearly blood competition between Kentucky Blood Center and Medic Regional Blood Center in Tennessee.
Kentucky Blood Center will need a strong showing from Big Blue Nation Nov. 14-18 if it hopes to win its third Big Blue Crush trophy over the last four years, and more importantly, boost the blood supply for the Thanksgiving holiday week.
Donors can give at eight of KBC’s eight donor centers or any mobile drive throughout the week. KBC donor centers, listed below, are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Big Blue Crush. Mobile drives can be found at kybloodcenter.org/event/big-blue-crush-2022.
Big Blue Crush was established between the two nonprofit community blood centers in 1988 to ensure blood is available for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The need for blood traditionally increases during holidays while donations are in short supply.
Kentucky leads the friendly rivalry 19-14-1, but Tennessee denied a three-year winning streak last year with 2,361 donors to Kentucky’s 1,971.
As a thank you for saving lives, all Big Blue Crush donors will receive a special-edition “Football School” blue, long-sleeve shirt and be entered to win four tickets to another big rivalry, the UK-Louisville football game on Nov. 26 at Kroger Field in Lexington. A gray “Basketball School” long-sleeve shirt will be provided in January for Big Blue Slam donors.
“Big Blue Nation takes great pride in being the most passionate fan base in the country,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations at KBC. “We need BBN to funnel its enthusiasm for Kentucky into helping us defeat Tennessee next week and provide a healthy holiday blood supply for Kentucky patients.”
Donations with KBC go directly to saving local patients in Kentucky. KBC serves more than 70 hospitals in the Commonwealth and is the exclusive blood provider for UK Healthcare Baptist Health System, Appalachian Regional Healthcare and many others.
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 anemia, saving trauma patients and so much more. One trauma alone can require more than 100 units of blood, a serious strain on a supply that has tiptoed between critical and urgent blood supply for much of the last two-plus years.
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.
Donors can schedule an appointment at kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522. Appointments are highly encouraged during Big Blue Crush. Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows.
Football School Shirt For All Donors
As a thank you for saving lives, all Big Blue Crush donors will receive a special-edition “Football School” blue, long-sleeve shirt and be entered to win four tickets to another big rivalry, the UK-Louisville football game on Nov. 26 at Kroger Field in Lexington. A gray “Basketball School” long-sleeve shirt will be provided in January for Big Blue Slam donors.
