Kentucky takes over lead in annual blood drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Solid Blue fans pulled ahead of the Gators, 557-to-526, on Day Two of Big Blue Slam, the annual blood battle against Florida fans.

“After trailing on Monday, we are delighted with donor turnout on Tuesday. We are still trying to make up for weather-related blood drive cancellations last week and so blood donations this week are really making a difference. We really appreciate the bleed blue spirit of Kentucky fans” said Martha Osborne, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC).

Donors this week will receive a Slam T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional at the Yum! Center in Louisville on March 24 and 26.

The drive continues through Friday and Solid Blue fans have ample opportunity to prove they bleed blue.

KBC’s five donor centers will be open special hours – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – and there will be daily mobile blood drives throughout the region.

The Rupp Arena Blood Drive, where donors get the opportunity to donate on the floor and take some shots on the court, is Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Donor centers are listed below, and blood drive locations can be found at kybloodcenter.org.

Beaumont Donor Center
3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington

Andover Donor Center
3130 Maple Leaf Drive, Lexington

Middletown Donor Center
12905 Shelbyville Road, Louisville

Somerset Donor Center
10 Stonegate Centre at Stoplight 16A

Pikeville Donor Center
472 S. Mayo Trail

This eighth annual blood drive competition is between Kentucky and Florida fans and KBC and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Gainesville. KBC leads the competition four to three. UK and Florida meet on the court Feb. 6 in Rupp Arena and March 1 at Gainesville.

To schedule a donation or find a donation location, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.

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.