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Big Blue Slam, a blood drive competition between Kentucky and Florida, is back for its eighth year the week of Jan. 25-29.

Blood donors can participate at various times throughout the week at Singletary Center for the Arts, The 90, Baptist Christian Ministries, W.T. Young Library and the Johnson Center.

On Jan. 28, a Rupp Arena Blood Drive will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Texas Roadhouse will provide food and donors will be able to shoot baskets on the court at Rupp Arena.

The competition is between the Kentucky Blood Center and the LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Florida. Kentucky has out-donated Florida four of the past seven years, and Florida has won three times.

Kentucky and Florida will next face each other in men’s basketball on Feb. 6 at Rupp Arena.

Those who donate will receive a T-shirt and be entered in drawings for one of four Fitbits and two tickets to the NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional in Louisville on March 24 and 26.

Kentucky Blood Center will also donate $5 to DanceBlue for each donor who mentions it while participating in the drive. The DanceBlue dance marathon starts on Feb. 27.

Donors must be 17 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and meet other requirements. Donors should bring a photo I.D. with them. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling 800-775-2522 or visiting http://kybloodcenter.org.

Blood can be donated at these locations throughout the week:

 

Singletary Center for the Arts

Monday – Thursday

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

The 90, Room 219

Monday, noon – 6 p.m.

Friday, noon – 6 p.m.

 

Baptist Christian Ministries

Wednesday, 4 – 8 p.m.

 

W.T. Young Library

Tuesday, 1 – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

Johnson Center

Thursday, 1 – 6:30 p.m.

 

Rupp Arena Blood Drive

Thursday, noon – 7 p.m.