34th Annual Big Blue Crush is Nov. 15-19
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2021) — University of Tennessee came to Lexington earlier this month and handed the bowl-bound Cats a hard loss, but there’s still a chance to notch a victory over the Vols this year. It’s time for University of Kentucky fans to roll up their sleeves and use their lifesaving powers to help Kentucky Blood Center beat Tennessee’s Medic Regional Blood Center in the 34th annual Big Blue Crush blood drive event.
UK students, faculty and staff can donate at these convenient campus drives:
- Gatton Student Center (Ballroom A): 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
- Lewis Honors College (Scholars Lounge): 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
The blood drive, which was established by the two community nonprofit blood centers in 1987, assures a sufficient blood supply for the upcoming holiday season. Kentucky leads the rivalry 19 to 13 with one tie. Last year, Kentucky won with 2,174 donations to Tennessee’s 2,060.
As a thank you for saving lives, 2021 Big Blue Crush donors receive a ringer-style Crush T-shirt. Campus donors will also receive a $5 Starbucks gift card and will be entered into daily Visa gift card drawings. Early bird donors on Monday have the chance to win a $250 gift card, while donors Tuesday-Friday can win a $100 gift card.
“Big Blue Crush brings out the competitive spirit in a long-standing rivalry between these two SEC foes,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations for the Kentucky Blood Center. “After the heartbreaking loss earlier this month, I personally want to get a victory in this event, not just for bragging rights, but to have a healthy holiday blood supply for Kentucky patients.”
In addition to the campus drives listed above, donors may give at any KBC donor center or other mobile drive throughout the state. A complete listing of Big Blue Crush donation locations can be found at https://kybloodcenter.org/event/big-blue-crush-2021. KBC donor centers are listed below and are open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. during Big Blue Crush (Nov. 15-19).
KBC locations include:
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, feeling well and healthy, show a photo ID and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at www.kybloodcenter.org. Donors awaiting results of a COVID-19 test should not attempt to donate.
Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins are permitted as space and social distancing permit. Appointments for mobile blood drives, including campus drives, can be made through the day prior to the drive. To schedule a donation or find other donation locations, 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.