Drawings for the signed footbals will be held on Monday, Nov. 15, at each of the four blood donation locations:
Medic headquarters 1601 Ailor Ave., 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
UT Student Center Suite 224-227, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sevierville Wal-Mart 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Maryville, Blount Memorial Hospital 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
During the weeklong Tennessee vs. Kentucky BlueOrange Battle for Blood, fans of the Tennessee Vols and supporters of the Kentucky Wildcats vie to determine who can score the most blood donations for their respective areas.
The contest always is held during the last full week before the annual Tennessee/Kentucky gridiron clash. The object of the Blood Battle is to insure that both blood centers go into the holiday season with a surplus of blood to offset the downturn in donations that always occurs at that time of year.
The Tennessee side is sponsored by Medic Regional Blood Center, Knoxville, the only blood collector and supplier for 24 area hospitals including all Knoxville hospitals. The Kentucky edition is sponsored by Central Kentucky Blood Center, Lexington.
Medic-s average weekly blood collection is about 1250 pints; during BlueOrange week, that figure more than doubles. Last year Tennessee fans contributed 3,133 pints of Orange Blood, a record amount. Kentucky fans contributed 3,478 pints of blue blood, winning the contest. So far in the 12-year history of the BlueOrange Battle, Kentucky has won six times, Tennessee has won four times and the two sides have tied once.
Each donor will receive a Medic T-shirt, a coupon for a pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream or frozen yogurt and a cholesterol level evaluation. In addition, one donation per year to Medic exempts the donor and his IRS dependents from paying blood supplier processing fees at any US hospital if transfusion is needed. New Members are covered except for pre-existing conditions.
Donations will be accepted throughout the week. For a full schedule of dates, times and locations, contact Jeannine McKamey at 524-3074