By Kelley Bozeman

The Big Blue Crush, which concludes Nov. 22, is a battle for blood between UK and UT. The competition ensures an adequate supply of blood for the Thanksgiving holiday season each year.

Lexington, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2002) -- Even before the University of Kentucky and University of Tennessee football teams meet on the gridiron Nov. 30, the score is as close as it gets. UK is only slightly ahead of UT in another traditional battle - the Big Blue Crush.

The current status of the competition can be seen at www.ckbc.org.

The Big Blue Crush, which concludes Nov. 22, is a battle for blood between UK and UT. The competition ensures an adequate supply of blood for the Thanksgiving holiday season each year. The competition began as a way to increase student blood donation on the campuses and to supply holiday blood needs.

Since its first year in 1988, the two communities also have embraced the event, attracting new and long-time donors.

"Through the years the two regions have donated more than 66,000 pints of blood," said Susan Berry-Buckley, Central Kentucky Blood Center's chief executive officer. Kentucky leads the series 8-5-1.

All donors will receive a Big Blue Crush T-shirt and will have the opportunity to win other great prizes throughout the week. Donors can roll up their sleeves at the following locations and times:

Nov. 20 North Campus Bloodmobile, noon - 6 p.m.
Physical Plant, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
College of Education, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Commons, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Nov. 21 College of Fine Arts, noon - 6 p.m.
Chandler Medical Center, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Nov. 22 UK Bookstore, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Chandler Medical Center, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Blood donations also can be made at the Central Kentucky Blood Center, 330 Waller Ave., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the blood drive.