Kentucky trails in blood drive going into final day
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Snow and ice didn’t keep hundreds of Kentucky donors from bleeding blue Thursday. Unfortunately, Tennessee donors kept rolling up their sleeves, too, and now lead Kentucky 2,455 to 2,076 in the 31st annual Big Blue Crush.
“Kentucky fans have a long tradition of saving the lives of local patients, and we appreciate that they are stepping up again this year, even during this early winter weather,” said Martha Osborne, Vice President of Marketing for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC).
“While we aren’t in the lead, we know who is really winning – the local patients who depend on Kentucky blood donors. So it’s important to have a big finish, and we invite the Big Blue Nation to save a life tomorrow.”
As a thank you for saving a life, Kentucky donors will receive a tie-dyed Bleed Blue T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Kentucky-Louisville football game on Nov. 24 in Louisville.
To assure a sufficient blood supply for the holidays, KBC and Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville have had an ongoing friendly competition to see whose donors can give the most blood the week prior to Thanksgiving week. Kentucky, which has beaten Tennessee the past eight years, leads the rivalry 17 to 12 with one tie.
Donors may give at any KBC mobile blood drive or donor center. KBC donor centers, which are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., 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. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
Walk-ins are welcome. For more info, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.
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