“Thank you, Big Blue Nation; you really came through for us,” said Mandy Brajuha, VP of external relations at KBC. “As much as we love beating our rival, we really needed the blood, and our donors answered the call. Thank you to everyone who donated.”
Kentucky improved to 22-14-1 in the friendly competition, which began in 1988 between the two community blood centers to boost the blood supply before the holiday when donations typically dip. KBC has won five of the last six events and 13 of the last 15.
Donations with KBC supply more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky. Blood transfusions are used for everything from cancer treatments to premature births, surgeries, anemia, diseases, car accidents and more.
Donors who were unable to give for Big Blue Crush are encouraged to give next week to keep the blood supply healthy for the holiday. Donors can schedule at any one of KBC’s eight donor centers or daily mobile drives by visiting kybloodcenter.org or by calling 800.775.2522.
KBC donor centers will be open Monday and Tuesday under normal hours operating hours during Thanksgiving week. Donor centers will be open Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., closed Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and re-open Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To donate blood at KBC, 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.
