It’s time for Big Blue Slam, the annual blood battle between the Cats and the Gators to see which fans can donate the most blood. The 11th annual competition is Monday through Friday, Jan. 14-18), at all Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) donor centers and blood drives.
Kentucky and Florida are tied, 5 to 5, in this yearly challenge between KBC and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Gainesville. Big Blue Slam helps to encourage blood donors when winter weather and flu season can hamper donations.
“Kentucky basketball season is always exciting and so is saving lives. We hope regular donors – and new donors, too – will want to prove they bleed blue during Big Blue Slam week,” said Martha Osborne, Kentucky Blood Center’s Vice President of Marketing.
As a thank you for saving a life, Kentucky donors will receive a long-sleeve Big Blue Slam T-shirt.
Donors may give at any KBC mobile blood drive or donor center. KBC donor centers, which will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Slam week, 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. To schedule a donation or find other donation locations, visit kybloodcenter.org or call