UK Happenings

Kentucky Falls Behind to Florida in Big Blue Slam Blood Drive; Blood Drives Continue on UK Campus

photo of Big Blue Slam T-shirt that says In This House, We Bleed Blue. Big Blue Slam Blood Drive.
Blood donors will receive a free Big Blue Slam T-shirt.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 27, 2021) — Florida had a strong day Tuesday and took the lead after the second day of this year’s Big Blue Slam. Kentucky totaled 227 donors, but Florida’s 268 donors gave them an overall lead of 511-470 in the 13th annual blood drive competition.

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 Friday, Jan. 29, and is at all Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) donor centers and at University of Kentucky campus blood drives.

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 strong day Tuesday, but Florida fans showed they are motivated to win this battle,” said Mandy Brajuha, vice president of external relations. “We would love to see more donors turn out as we reach the midpoint of the week — especially at our UK campus drives.”

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. 

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:

Wednesday, Jan. 27

UK Lewis Honors College – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

UK Patterson Hall – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28

UK Lewis Honors College – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

UK Patterson Hall – 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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.