MEDIC Regional Blood Center’s Summer Kickoff Cookout is going on this week. (May 19 – 23)
Grilling will take place from 11 am to 4 pm daily. Previously known as Parrothead Week, Medic has rebranded the event and officials say collections are critical to having enough blood on the shelves ahead of the holiday weekend.
The event will be held at different locations each day:
Tuesday:
Crossville Donor Center (across from Cumberland Medical Center)
UT Regional Sevierville
Wednesday:
Ailor Avenue Center
Farragut Center
Food City Tazewell
Harlan Medical Center
Thursday:
Ailor Avenue Center
Farragut Center
Kingston Gravel Pit
Food City Western Plaza Newport
Friday:
Lowe’s LaFollette
Scott Appalachian Industries
They do this because Memorial Day Weekend is known as the unofficial kickoff to summer, and MEDIC is Preparing for the increase in blood product demand by hosting this event.
Donors will receive a Special Edition Cookout T-shirt, automatic entry to win a 4-Pack of tickets to a Knoxville Smokies game, and coupons to Denton’s, Texas Roadhouse, Salsarita’s, and Papa John’s. First-time donors will receive a $25 e-gift card!
Appointments can be made online at http://www.medicblood.org, via the MEDIC app, or by calling 865-524-3074. Walk-ins are welcome.
MEDIC is the primary blood product provider for 25 hospitals and air medical transport services across 23 counties. MEDIC services Blount Memorial, Covenant Health System, East TN Children’s Hospital, Tennova Healthcare, and UT Medical Center.
As a reminder, the blood, platelets, and plasma products on the shelves now are what would be used in a trauma event. Donated blood takes at least three days to be processed and ready for distribution.
MEDIC is an independent, nonprofit organization. Products donated through MEDIC help community members in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky.
