Today Is Final Day of Big Blue Slam Blood Drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2012) - Kentucky fans hold a slight lead over Florida in the annual Big Blue Slam blood drive competition as it enters its fifth and final day.  The tally through Thursday shows Wildcat supporters donating 1,496 pints to 1,425 by Gator fans.

“We have one day to go and we’re up by 71, but this is still a little too close for comfort,” said Martha Osborne, executive director of Marketing & Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC).

The fourth annual blood battle between Kentucky and Florida fans continues through today.

All blood donors this week will receive a Big Blue Slam T-shirt as well as a chance to win an entertainment package, consisting of a 50” 3-D Smart TV, Blu-Ray home theater system, X-Box 360 with Kinect and popcorn machine.

Big Blue Slam is a friendly blood collection competition between Kentucky and Florida fans and KBC and LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Gainesville. The Wildcats take on Florida in Rupp Arena, Tuesday, Feb. 7, and again in Gainesville on March 4.

The four KBC donor centers (Beaumont and Andover in Lexington and Somerset and Pikeville) will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Slam week. There will also be a number of blood drives throughout the area, including daily blood drives on the University of Kentucky campus.

Kentucky leads the rivalry 2 to 1. Big Blue Slam helps beef up the blood supply during the winter months, when blood donations can dip due to inclement weather.

To find a donation location or to schedule an appointment, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800-775-2522.

About KBC

Kentucky Blood Center (KBC), the largest FDA regulated blood bank in Kentucky, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC relies on volunteers to collect 400 pints of blood per day to meet area patients’ needs. Over the last year KBC distributed nearly 130,000 blood components.