Big Blue Crush blood drive begins Monday

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Get ready to bleed blue, Solid Blue fans. The 28th annual Big Blue Crush is November 16-20.

This yearly blood battle between Kentucky Blood Center and Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville pits Solid Blue fans against Tennessee Volunteers supporters to see who can donate the most blood the week before Thanksgiving. The real winners, however, are the Kentucky and Tennessee patients who require blood transfusions every day.

“Kentuckians generously bleeding blue during Crush week will support Kentucky patients through the holidays,” said Martha Osborne, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC). “And, of course, we want to beat the Vols again this year.” Kentucky leads the competition 14 to 12 with one tie and has won the competition the last five years.

Donors will receive a Big Blue Crush T-shirt and a chance to win tickets to the Kentucky-Louisville football game on Nov. 28. To help get the week started off strong, those who give Monday and Tuesday will also be eligible to win a $100 VISA gift card each day.

Blood donors must be 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. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.

KBC’s five donor centers will be open special hours – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – during Crush week. There will also be daily mobile blood drives throughout the region. Donor centers are listed below, and blood drive locations can be found at kybloodcenter.org.