Kentucky takes early lead in blood drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – After day one of the 28th annual Big Blue Crush blood drive, Kentucky jumped out to a strong lead over Tennessee, 507-to-342.

“What a way to start the week,” said Martha Osborne, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC). “We’re hoping to see more than 500 donors a day this week to put us in the win column for the sixth year in a row and to make sure we have an ample blood supply for the holidays.”

Big Blue Crush is continues through Friday.

This yearly blood battle between Kentucky Blood Center and Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville pits fans of the Cats and the Tennessee Volunteers to see who can donate the most blood the week before Thanksgiving. 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. Tuesday donors will also be eligible to win a $100 VISA gift card.

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.

Lexington – Beaumont Donor Center
3121 Beaumont Centre Circle

Lexington – Andover Donor Center
3130 Maple Leaf Drive

Louisville – Middletown Donor Center
12905 Shelbyville Road

Pikeville Donor Center
472 S. Mayo Drive

Somerset Donor Center
10 Stonegate Centre (Stoplight 16-A)