All 18 universities within the Big Ten Conference will compete in year two of the national initiative, the ‘We Give Blood’ campaign, aimed at motivating the highest number of blood donations from students, alumni, and supporters.
The school with the most donations will receive a $1 million prize from Abbott, a global healthcare leader, to support health initiatives for students or the community. Abbott is dedicated to improving lives at every stage of life by offering a range of impactful technologies in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generic medicines, supported by 114,000 employees in over 160 countries.
The “We Give Blood” drive runs from August 27 through December 5.
The initiative addresses America’s severe blood shortage crisis while cultivating the next generation of regular donors. Blood centers nationwide report dangerously low supplies, sometimes less than a day’s worth.
Students, alums, and fans can donate blood anywhere in the country and credit their school. Participants text “DONATE” to 222688 or visit BigTen.Org/Abbott to log donations.
Abbott is sweetening the deal with exclusive Homefield-designed T-shirts for each school.
“Be among the first to receive one by showing up to donate and logging your donation on ‘We Give Blood Day’ on August 27. Shirts will be available throughout the competition, while supplies last,” Abbott said in a press release.
New features aim to boost first-time donor participation. Weekly “One-Up” competitions will pit two Big Ten schools against each other throughout the football season.
Donors from the schools winning these mini-challenges receive chances at memorable campus experiences. A live leaderboard at BigTen.Org/Abbott will track donation totals throughout the campaign.
“This campaign is a direct investment in the long-term sustainability of our nation’s blood supply,” said Robert Ford, Abbott’s chairman and CEO. “We know young people care deeply about their communities, and this is an amazing opportunity to help them show it.”
The campaign targets younger donors as older Americans become less eligible to give blood.
“Every donation can help save up to three lives — and someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds,” Abbott said on its donation website.
“Big Ten fans are competitive and compassionate,” said Tony Petitti, Big Ten Conference Commissioner. “We are confident they will embrace this challenge not only in the months ahead, but for years to come.”
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln won last year’s inaugural competition with nearly 4,000 donors. The championship saved an estimated 12,000 lives. Nebraska is using its million-dollar prize for health research, student grants, and wellness programs. The university’s Well-Being Collective focuses on students’ physical, social, and emotional health.
The overall winner will be announced at the Big Ten Championship Football Game on December 6 in Indianapolis.