University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota kicks-off the 2026 Abbott and Big Ten ‘We Give Blood' drive as U.S. faces blood supply crisis
8/28/2026 11:14:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota calling on students, alumni and fans to donate blood to bolster national blood supply, compete for $1 million grant
Gopher Athletics is calling all Gophers to donate blood during the Abbott and the Big Ten "We Give Blood" drive, a nationwide competition to turn school pride into life-saving action. For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis after donations dropped to a four-year summer low, threatening the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
The competition officially kicks off Aug. 26, but to help address current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten will honor any blood donations made starting August 12. Gophers from across the country can get involved as early as today by logging any blood donation made on or after August 12, or by scheduling a blood donation at their nearest blood drive or center. While any donation made at any blood center in the U.S. between August 12 and Dec. 4 can count towards the competition, donors in the local Minneapolis area can attend any of the following upcoming drives:
• 10am – 4pm, Sept. 17, Grace University Lutheran Church Community Room, 324 E Harvard St., Minneapolis, MN
• 10am – 4pm, Oct. 1, Graduate Minneapolis Think Room 1, 615 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN
• 9am – 3pm, Oct. 2, College of Veterinary Medicine Atrium, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN
• …and more. Go to Bigten.org/Abbott/Minnesota to find a blood center or drive near you.
"The 'We Give Blood' drive is about turning Gopher pride into life-saving action," said Mike Wierzbicki, Deputy Athletics Director, External Affairs. "This fandom is on full display for the 50,805 fans in Huntington Bank Stadium this season. If everyone in those stands donated blood just once, they could collectively help save as many as 152,415 lives."
Inspiring a new generation of donors
In addition to addressing current shortages, the "We Give Blood" competition also aims to help fuel a new generation of donors. Today, nearly a quarter of all blood donations come from people over 65, many of whom will eventually be unable to donate. With only about 3% of those in the U.S. eligible to donate doing so, the need to recruit new donors is urgent. In the Big Ten community-population alone, its nearly 40 million people are likely eligible but may not yet be giving blood. If 1 in 15 of those people commit to donating blood into the future, that would close the gap left by an aging donor population.
'We Give Blood' at the University of Minnesota
In the competition's first two years, more than 100,000 total donations helped save as many as 300,000 lives. Each school's efforts helped secure a sustainable blood supply that the health system will depend on for decades to come: nearly one-third of student donors last year gave blood for the first time, and 96% said they would do it again.
Last year, Minnesota students, fans, and alumni from across the country played a significant role in saving lives while competing for their school as they made 2,676 donations.
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donates blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for the Gophers in three easy steps:
1. Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S.
2. Take a photo or save your donation confirmation.
3. Log it at BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT).
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
People who show up to donate and log their donation made from Aug. 12 to Dec. 4 will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Minnesota T-shirt while supplies last* and help their school be one step closer to winning $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health.
About the 'We Give Blood' drive
"We Give Blood" is a nationwide blood donation competition presented by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, now in its third year. All 18 Big Ten universities compete for the most recorded donations, with the winning school receiving a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health. In its first two years, the campaign generated more than 100,000 donations collectively and helped save as many as 300,000 lives.
* Any potential incentives related to this program are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. T-shirts are available while supplies last. For terms and conditions, visit BigTen.org/Abbott.
The competition officially kicks off Aug. 26, but to help address current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten will honor any blood donations made starting August 12. Gophers from across the country can get involved as early as today by logging any blood donation made on or after August 12, or by scheduling a blood donation at their nearest blood drive or center. While any donation made at any blood center in the U.S. between August 12 and Dec. 4 can count towards the competition, donors in the local Minneapolis area can attend any of the following upcoming drives:
• 10am – 4pm, Sept. 17, Grace University Lutheran Church Community Room, 324 E Harvard St., Minneapolis, MN
• 10am – 4pm, Oct. 1, Graduate Minneapolis Think Room 1, 615 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN
• 9am – 3pm, Oct. 2, College of Veterinary Medicine Atrium, 1988 Fitch Ave, Saint Paul, MN
• …and more. Go to Bigten.org/Abbott/Minnesota to find a blood center or drive near you.
"The 'We Give Blood' drive is about turning Gopher pride into life-saving action," said Mike Wierzbicki, Deputy Athletics Director, External Affairs. "This fandom is on full display for the 50,805 fans in Huntington Bank Stadium this season. If everyone in those stands donated blood just once, they could collectively help save as many as 152,415 lives."
Inspiring a new generation of donors
In addition to addressing current shortages, the "We Give Blood" competition also aims to help fuel a new generation of donors. Today, nearly a quarter of all blood donations come from people over 65, many of whom will eventually be unable to donate. With only about 3% of those in the U.S. eligible to donate doing so, the need to recruit new donors is urgent. In the Big Ten community-population alone, its nearly 40 million people are likely eligible but may not yet be giving blood. If 1 in 15 of those people commit to donating blood into the future, that would close the gap left by an aging donor population.
'We Give Blood' at the University of Minnesota
In the competition's first two years, more than 100,000 total donations helped save as many as 300,000 lives. Each school's efforts helped secure a sustainable blood supply that the health system will depend on for decades to come: nearly one-third of student donors last year gave blood for the first time, and 96% said they would do it again.
Last year, Minnesota students, fans, and alumni from across the country played a significant role in saving lives while competing for their school as they made 2,676 donations.
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donates blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for the Gophers in three easy steps:
1. Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S.
2. Take a photo or save your donation confirmation.
3. Log it at BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT).
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
People who show up to donate and log their donation made from Aug. 12 to Dec. 4 will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Minnesota T-shirt while supplies last* and help their school be one step closer to winning $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health.
About the 'We Give Blood' drive
"We Give Blood" is a nationwide blood donation competition presented by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, now in its third year. All 18 Big Ten universities compete for the most recorded donations, with the winning school receiving a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health. In its first two years, the campaign generated more than 100,000 donations collectively and helped save as many as 300,000 lives.
* Any potential incentives related to this program are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. T-shirts are available while supplies last. For terms and conditions, visit BigTen.org/Abbott.
Thursday, August 20
Friday, June 26
Friday, February 27
Wednesday, February 04