33rd Annual Big Blue Crush is Nov. 16-20
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2020) — The Cats beat the Vols on the field this season; now 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 33rd annual Big Blue Crush blood drive event.
UK students, faculty and staff can donate at these convenient campus drives Nov. 16-20:
- Buell Armory: Monday (6 a.m.–3 p.m.) and Friday (10 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Lewis Honors College: Monday–Thursday (10 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Friday (11 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Patterson Hall (Room 118): Tuesday–Thursday (10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
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 18 to 13 with one tie. Last year, Kentucky won with 2,894 donations to Tennessee’s 1,999.
As a thank you for saving lives, 2020 Big Blue Crush donors receive a long-sleeved Crush T-shirt (pictured) and are entered to win a 65” Samsung Crystal UHD television.
All donations will also be tested for COVID-19 antibodies and donors will be able to access those results 7-10 days following their donation.
“Big Blue Crush is a lot of fun, but it’s also extremely important for our blood supply,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations. “As a huge Cats fan, I love the competition against Tennessee — but the bigger win here is seeing our shelves full of blood for Kentucky patients in need over the holidays.”
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-2020. KBC donor centers are listed below and are open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m. during Big Blue Crush (Nov. 16-20).
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
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.