Close Contest as Big Blue Slam Enters Final Two Days
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 25, 2018) — The community blood supply is currently low, but Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) is giving donors a chance to help rebuild that supply while also proving they "bleed blue" during the 10th annual Big Blue Slam this week.
Big Blue Slam, pitting University of Kentucky fans against University of Florida fans to see who can donate the most blood, is entering its final two days. As of Wednesday evening, Wildcat blood donors fell behind the Gators 937 to 905 in the competition.
“This is just too close for comfort,” said Martha Osborne, Kentucky Blood Center’s vice president of marketing. “But we still have two more days with plenty of time for Cat fans to prove they bleed blue. However, it’s not just about beating Florida. It’s about helping Kentucky patients, too. Big Blue Slam is always the last of January when the blood supply often needs a boost, and this year that is so true. Wintry weather has caused numerous blood drive cancellations and donor center closings while the flu has kept many regulars from donating. Recently, transfusions have been outpacing donations, and that’s serious.”
KBC and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Florida enjoy this friendly competition every January to see whose donors can give the most blood. Big Blue Slam is a fun way to prove who has the most generous fans while also helping to pump up the community blood supply at a time when colds, flu and winter weather has negatively affected it. The Wildcats lead the Gators in this competition, five to four.
KBC will be at the campus locations below today and tomorrow (Jan. 25 and 26). Donors during Slam will receive a special long-sleeve T-shirt.
Thursday Johnson Center, 1-7 p.m.
Singletary Center for the Arts, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday Funkhouser Building, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
South Campus Courtyard bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Campus donors can also mention they’d like to help DanceBlue and KBC will make a donation in their name.
To make an appointment or to find other donation locations, visit http://kybloodcenter.org or call 800-775-2522, ext. 3758. Walk-ins are also welcome at all locations.
Blood donors must be at least 17-years-old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Donors must also show a photo ID with first and last name, like a state-issued driver’s license. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at http://kybloodcenter.org.
Celebrating 50 years of saving lives in Kentucky, KBC is the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), 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, Pikeville and Somerset.