Rupp Arena Blood Drive

Every year the Kentucky Blood Center hosts a blood drive at Rupp Arena. Besides saving lives it comes with the extra perk that you can shoot around on the court! For any Wildcat fan this would be a dream come true. I have participated in this event for the last 5 years. This was the first year that Jennifer and the kids did not come along. Brinley had actually gotten sick at school that morning and Landon just flat out told me he didn't want to go. So, this year I headed out to Rupp by myself to donate.

They always ask you to go take your shots on the court before donating because they don't want anyone to pass out playing basketball after giving blood. There was hardly anyone there when I came in so I had my own little shoot around.

Trying to get the perfect picture.

The most important part of the visit - the actual donation.

Another little perk was that the guys from KSR were in the building doing their radio show. Ryan is the guy in the yellow shirt and Matt is right in front of him.

They actually had the replay of the 2012 National Championship game playing on the big screens!

I always think it is so cool for the cheerleaders and celebrities to spell out Kentucky. Here is my attempt at recreating it, minus about 23,000 people.

Another little freebie that they handed out were a long sleeve shirt and a tervis tumbler.

After I was done donating I was approached by one of the employees for a quote. They said that they had seen me there over the previous years and was wondering if I would talk with them. I was happy to tell them a little bit about why I donate. They took my picture and told me that it would be up on their website some time in the near future. I am not sure how long it had been up, but the other day I happened to think of it and looked it up. Here is the little story they put up about me:

Jordan Heflin

Jordan Heflin knows how important blood donation is. He sees its impact every day as a pediatric oncology / hematology nurse at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Six years ago, Jordan began donating blood on a regular basis after realizing just how much blood young patients need. “If I can stick those kids with a needle, I can come in every two months,” he said.

Jordan also advocates for blood donation, frequently wearing his latest gallon pin and trying to convince others to become donors. It has become a favorite cause within his family, as his wife is also a UK nurse and a regular donor.

The power of blood donation hit even closer to home last year when Jordan’s father needed seven units of blood in the span of a week. The Heflin family was grateful for those who had generously donated the blood that would eventually help Jordan’s father.

“You’ll never truly know how much your donation impacts a family,” Jordan said.

So, get out there and donate! Save a life! Thanks for reading and God bless!