Annual Big Blue Crush blood drive on UK campus Nov. 18–22
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2024) — Big Blue Crush — the annual competition between Kentucky fans and Tennessee fans to see who can collect the most blood — is next week, and University of Kentucky students, staff and faculty will be critical in securing a Big Blue victory.
The 37th annual event is Nov. 18-22, at all Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) locations, and KBC will have several opportunities on UK’s campus to donate. All locations are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
UK campus locations include:
- Gatton Student Center, Ballroom A – Monday through Friday
- William T. Young Library, KBC Bloodmobile – Monday and Tuesday only
- Lewis Honors College, Scholars Student Lounge – Friday only
Campus donors will be rewarded for their lifesaving donation. All donors who give blood at one of the three UK locations will receive:
- Big Blue Crush long-sleeve shirt
- Coupon for a free entrée at QDOBA
- $5 L8nite gift card
- $5 Starbucks gift card
- Entry to win a pair of silver AirPods Max
The T-shirt and gift cards are while supplies last. KBC will also make a $5 donation to a DanceBlue team of a donor’s choosing for giving blood (donor must fill out a slip at donation).
Donors can schedule their appointment in advance at https://www.kybloodcenter.org/big-blue-crush-2024-at-uk or by calling 1-800-775-2522. 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 before the Thanksgiving holiday and into December. The need for blood traditionally increases during holidays while donations are in short supply.
Although Tennessee got the best of Kentucky on the football field last month, Kentucky fans have proven their passion in this all-important portion of the rivalry. KBC has won four of the last five blood battles and 12 of the last 14, including last year. Overall, Kentucky leads the series vs. Tennessee 21-14-1.
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 in seven patients admitted to a hospital will need a blood transfusion.
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.
About Kentucky Blood Center
KBC, the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky, has been saving local lives since 1968. 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 (Corbin).
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.