August 12, 2026 – Abbott and the Big Ten Conference today announced the return of the “We Give Blood” drive, a nationwide competition uniting all 18 Big Ten universities to turn school pride into lifesaving action.
Abbott created the “We Give Blood” drive to help secure blood supply sustainability today and into the future. The competition officially kicks off Aug. 26, but to help address the current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten are urging people to donate now. Any donations made between Aug. 12 and the official start will be honored as part of the competition. In addition to addressing current shortages, the “We Give Blood” drive also aims to help address the blood supply pipeline problem.
“The future of America’s blood supply starts on college campuses,” said Robert B. Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. “When a young person gives blood for the first time and makes it a habit, that’s potentially decades of lifesaving donations. The ‘We Give Blood’ drive is how we turn school pride into a generational commitment — and how we make sure that when someone needs blood, it’s there.”