Big Blue Crush blood drive begins Monday at UK
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2025) — Giving blood to Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) saves local lives throughout the year, but Kentucky fans who donate during Big Blue Crush have extra incentive: a chance to beat rival Tennessee.
The 38th annual Big Blue Crush is Nov. 17-21, at all KBC locations, including at the University of Kentucky. KBC will be on campus all five days of the competition at three locations.
The campus locations are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on the dates noted below:
- Gatton Student Center (Ballroom A): Nov. 17-18 and Nov. 20-21
- William T. Young Library (KBC Bloodmobile): Nov. 17 and Nov. 19
- Lewis Honors College (Scholars Student Lounge): Nov. 19-21
Wildcat donors will receive additional perks for helping beat the Tennesee Volunteers. Those who give blood on campus will receive a coupon for a free entrée at Qdoba, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a long-sleeve heathered Big Blue Crush shirt. All thank you items 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 slip at donation). In partnership with UK Invests, a deposit will be provided by UK Invests into the enrolled accounts of students who participate in the blood drive as well.
Donors can schedule their appointment in advance at bit.ly/KBC_BigBlueCrushUK_2025 or by calling 800-775-2522. Walk-ins are welcome.
Big Blue Crush is an annual competition between KBC 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.
Kentucky has the upper hand in the blood battle, especially in recent years. KBC has won three straight competitions,13 of the last 15 and leads the overall series 22-14-1.
One in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, and as the largest FDA-license nonprofit blood bank in Kentucky, KBC ensures blood is available for a wide range of treatments at local hospitals, including UK HealthCare. More than 40% of all blood collected at KBC goes to UK HealthCare patients.
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 ID 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.