Illinois Athletics is out for Blood to Win $1 Million in Abbott and the Big Ten Conference’s ‘We Give Blood’ Drive

BigTen.Org/Abbott

• The ‘We Give Blood’ drive competitors places rivalry and faculty spirit to the take a look at amongst all 18 Big Ten universities in a race to see which college can donate essentially the most blood
• The successful college wins $1 million from Abbott to advance scholar or neighborhood well being, awarded on the Big Ten Football Championship Game Dec. 6
• Students, alumni and followers can donate blood anyplace within the U.S. from Aug. 27-Dec. 5 to rely for Illinois. Donations might be submitted by texting “DONATE” to 222688 (ABBOTT) or visiting BigTen.Org/Abbott
• Show as much as donate blood to your college and obtain an unique, restricted version Homefield designed T-shirt

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to affix forces with Abbott and the Big Ten Conference within the second annual “We Give Blood” drive competitors, uniting to assist sort out one of many nations’ most pressing well being challenges. The competitors goals to encourage a brand new era of blood donors and whereas saving 1000’s of lives alongside the way in which.

Someone wants blood each two seconds, but some blood facilities have less than a one-day supply available. The want for blood is fixed whether or not for trauma victims, moms experiencing issues after childbirth, or people receiving most cancers remedy. As folks become older, they become less likely to be eligible to donate blood. At the identical time, the variety of younger folks donating blood has been falling in recent years. But Abbott, the Big Ten Conference and Illinois Athletics, together with multimedia rightsholders Learfield and Fighting Illini Sports Properties are calling on college students, followers and alumni to alter that.

“Donating blood is a powerful way Illini can support Illini,” mentioned Darren Irby, Executive Director of Brand Partnerships, American Red Cross. “Each blood donation can help save more than one life, but we need more people to donate. We’re calling on Illini from across the state and beyond to come together and show how we bleed orange and blue.”

So present up and donate this 2025 season, rep your Fighting Illini pleasure and save lives!

To take part within the competitors, Illinois college students, followers and alumni can donate anytime between Aug. 27-Dec. 5 at blood drives or blood facilities throughout the U.S.

This yr’s competitors brings much more probabilities for Illinois Athletics to ignite college spirit and encourage first time donors. People who present as much as donate and log their donation through the competitors – together with on nationwide fan vacation College Colors Day on Aug. 29 – can obtain an unique, limited-edition Illinois T-shirt designed by Homefield.*

Make Your Donation Count

Logging a donation for Illinois is less complicated than ever. After you donate, you may submit your donation at BigTen.Org/Abbott or textual content “DONATE” to ABBOTT (222688).

The winner of the “We Give Blood” drive will likely be introduced on the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. The successful college will obtain $1 million from Abbott to advance scholar or neighborhood well being. Donations will likely be tracked on a dwell leaderboard at BigTen.Org/Abbott all through the marketing campaign.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and present what it means for the Fighting Illini.

* Any potential incentives associated to this program are non-transferable and never redeemable for money. T-shirts can be found whereas provides final. For phrases and situations, go to our web site at BigTen.org/Abbott.