LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2023) — Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky Blood Center needs you to channel your passion toward saving local lives. The 36th annual Big Blue Crush is on campus Nov. 13-17, offering Wildcats an opportunity to beat rival University of Tennessee and provide lifesaving blood to Kentuckians.
KBC will have several opportunities for UK students, faculty and staff to donate:
- Gatton Student Center | Ballroom A – Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- William T. Young Library | KBC Bloodmobile – Monday from 2-6 p.m.
- Buell Armory | ROTC Drill Room – Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- UK Lewis Honors College – Friday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
As a thank you for donating, all donors will receive a Big Blue Crush T-shirt, a coupon for a free entree at Qdoba and a $5 Starbucks gift card (while supplies last).
Donors can schedule their appointment in advance at http://kybloodcenter.org/big-blue-crush-2023-at-uk or by calling 800-775-2522. Walk-ins are welcome.
Big Blue Crush is an annual competition between Kentucky Blood Center and MEDIC Regional Blood Center in Tennessee. It was established in 1988 to ensure blood is available for Thanksgiving holiday week. The need for blood traditionally increases during holidays while donations are in short supply.
Kentucky leads the friendly rivalry 20-14-1. Kentucky has won three of the last four and 11 of the last 13 competitions, including last year’s blood battle.
Donations with KBC go directly to saving local patients in Kentucky. KBC services more than 70 hospitals in the Commonwealth and is the exclusive blood provider for UK HealthCare.
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 upwards of 100 units of blood, underscoring the importance of having readily available blood.
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 ID and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
About Kentucky Blood Center
Celebrating 55 years of saving lives in Kentucky, KBC is the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky. KBC provides services in 90 Kentucky counties and has donor centers in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, Pikeville, Somerset and the Tri-County area.