Kentucky Takes Slight Lead in Big Blue Slam Blood Drive; Today is Last Day to Donate
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2021) — Despite less than ideal weather to start the day Thursday, 236 Kentucky donors turned out to help take the lead over Florida in the 13th annual Big Blue Slam. Florida had 224 donors on the fourth day of competition, bringing the four-day total to 943 for Kentucky Blood Center and 938 for LifeSouth. The competition concludes today.
Big Blue Slam is the annual blood battle between the Cats and the Gators to see which fans can donate the most blood. The annual competition week goes through today and is at all Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) donor centers and blood drives, including one on the University of Kentucky campus.
The series is tied at six wins apiece in this annual challenge between KBC and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Gainesville. Big Blue Slam helps to encourage blood donors when winter weather and flu season can hamper donations.
“We had a great day when you consider the overnight weather said Mandy Brajuha, KBC vice president of external relations. “It’s fun to take the lead in a tight competition, but even more rewarding to think of the lives being saved by these important donations.”
As a thank you for saving a life, Kentucky donors will receive a long-sleeved Big Blue Slam T-shirt.
Donors may give at any KBC mobile blood drive or donor center. KBC donor centers, which will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Slam week, are listed below:
Donors may give at any KBC mobile blood drive or donor center.
Appointments are preferred to ensure social distancing. Walk-ins are accepted as space allows. A face covering is required to donate. The UK campus blood drive times and locations are listed below, and appointments can be made at the links:
Friday, Jan. 29
UK Lewis Honors College – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
UK Buell Armory (College of Arts & Sciences) – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
KBC donor centers, which are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, are listed below:
Andover Donor Center
3130 Maple Leaf Drive, Lexington
Beaumont Donor Center
3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington
Hillview Donor Center
5406 Antle Drive, Louisville
Middletown Donor Center
12905 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
Pikeville Donor Center
472 S. Mayo Trail, Pikeville
Somerset Donor Center
10 Stonegate Centre (Stoplight 16A), Somerset
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. If you are awaiting COVID-19 results due to symptoms, please do not attempt to donate. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, found at kybloodcenter.org.
Appointments at the centers are preferred to ensure social distancing. Walk-ins are accepted as space allows. A face covering is required to donate. To schedule a donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800-775-2522.
About Kentucky Blood Center
Celebrating more than 50 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, Pikeville and Somerset.
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.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.