UPDATE: Kentucky Takes Lead After Day 2 Of ‘Big Blue Crush’

Even though winter was still in the game on Tuesday with another blood drive cancelled due to weather, Kentucky donors came out full force and pulled ahead of Tennessee, 1,119 to 1,063 on the second day of the 27^th annual Big Blue Crush.

“We’ve never had to contend with winter weather during Big Blue Crush before,” said Martha Osborne, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center (KBC). “Even with the blood drive cancellations, though, donors are really stepping up to help assure a good blood supply heading into Thanksgiving and the holidays. And, win or lose, that’s why we do this every year.”

Big Blue Crush runs through Friday. Donors will receive a long-sleeve gray T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Kentucky-Louisville game, Nov. 29. In addition Wednesday through Friday, those who give at a KBC donor center will also get a movie pass to an area cinema.

Kentucky, which has won the past four years, leads the competition 13-12 with one tie against Tennessee and Medic Regional Blood Center in Knoxville.

Donors this year have a Louisville area donation location. Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) recently opened the new Middletown Donor Center at 12905 Shelbyville Road in the Middletown Station Shoppes near the Walmart Supercenter and Target.

Along with the new Middletown location, KBC also has donor centers in Beaumont Centre and the Andover Shoppes in Lexington, and in Somerset and Pikeville. All KBC donor centers are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Crush week.

Big Blue Crush blood drives located throughout the region can be found at kybloodcenter.org, where Cat fans can also make donation appointments.