Knoxville (May 6, 2025)—MEDIC Regional Blood Center will host the Summer Kickoff Cookout week from May 19 to 23 across the region. The week overlaps with National EMS Week, and MEDIC will host several “Battle of the Badge” blood drives.

All donors through the week of May 19 – 23 will receive a Special Edition T-shirt and coupons for Texas Roadhouse, Denton’s, Papa John’s, and Salsarita’s. Additionally, any first-time MEDIC donor will receive a $25 e-gift card.

MEDIC staff will cook hamburgers daily at centers from 11 am to 4 pm and at blood drives. The current schedule includes:

•      Monday – Athens Center
•      Tuesday – Crossville Center
•      Wednesday and Thursday – Ailor Avenue and Farragut Centers

Additionally, several first responder groups will be competing with one another in the Battle of the Badge. Locations include:

•      Monday:

o     Lenoir City Police Department (competing against Loudon Police)

o     Pigeon Forge Community Center

•      Tuesday – Loudon Police Department (competing against Lenoir City Police)
•      Wednesday – Gatlinburg Food City
•      Thursday – Sevierville Civic Center
•      Friday – Public Safety Complex (competition between KFD, KPD, and Knox Sheriff’s Office)
•      Visit medicblood.org for a list of mobile drives where staff will grill out.

Appointments for donations are preferred, but walk-in donors are welcome. Donors can call 865-524-3074 to schedule their appointment, visit medicblood.org/donate, or download the new MEDIC donor app to search for a drive closest to them and schedule their appointment. For more information on MEDIC Regional Blood Center, please visit our website at medicblood.org/eligibility/ or contact Vice President of Communications Kristy Altman at [email protected] or by phone at 865-805-2008.