The Abbott Big Ten Football Blood Drive Competition is Back

It is that time of year again for the Abbott Big Ten Conference Blood Drive. Last year with the support of Husker fans across the nation, Nebraska came in No. 1 and Abbott donated a million dollars to the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“There are many reasons I’m proud to be a Nebraskan, and this is one of them," Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system, said in a statement after last year's win. “As a cardiac surgeon, I have seen time and time again how important life-saving blood products can be, and as the president of the University of Nebraska, I’ve also seen firsthand the generosity of spirit and passion for helping others shared by so many of our students, faculty and staff. It doesn’t hurt that Nebraskans also really like to win.”

All 18 Big Ten universities will go head-to-head in Year 2 of the nationwide challenge, the "We Give Blood" drive. Again this year, the winning school will earn $1 million for student or community health.

Let's win back to back Big Ten Blood Drive Championships in 2025. We did it last year and we can do it again. Students, alumni and fans can donate.

The contest will run from Aug. 27 to Dec. 5, and the winner will be announced at the Big Ten football championship game on Dec. 6th.

Upcoming blood drives on campus:

Aug. 27, 1-6 p.m., (mobile blood drive)
Aug. 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Aug. 28, 9 a.m. – noon

Abbott is releasing exclusive, limited-edition Homefield designed T-shirts for each Big Ten school. Be among the first to receive one by showing up to donate and logging your donation on "We Give Blood Day" on Aug. 27. Shirts will be available throughout the competition, while supplies last.

Abbott Big Ten Football Blood Drive | Abbott Labs

Here are some numbers from last year: Lives saved - 59,143, Donors 19,821, Top Five Donors: Nebraska 3,983, Wisconsin 2,016, Michigan 1,955, UCLA 1,535, Ohio State 1,420. Nearly 20,000 people across the country showed up in 2024 to donate blood during a critical time when the nation was experiencing one of the biggest blood shortages in a generation.

Last year's funds were be directed toward a variety of grants and initiatives designed to advance the health and well-being of UNL students and the broader Nebraska community.

Back to Back Big Ten Champions sounds good. Let's do this. I will give updates weekly throughout the season to track our progress toward $1 million and the number of lives saved.

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