On the heels of the American Red Cross declaring a national blood crisis and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank reporting its lowest blood supply since the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Nebraska is calling on Nebraskans everywhere to help save lives and bring the We Give Blood championship back to Nebraska.
The nationwide competition, sponsored by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, challenges students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans of all 18 Big Ten universities to donate blood and log their donations for their school. The university that records the most donations by Dec. 4 will receive a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health.
After finishing fewer than 1,000 donations behind Wisconsin in 2025, Nebraska has set a goal of generating 20,000 donations this year.
“Nebraskans have always answered the call when our neighbors need us,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the NU system. “Every blood donation has the potential to save lives, and every Nebraskan, no matter where they live, can be part of this effort. Together, we can meet an urgent need and bring the We Give Blood title back to Nebraska.”
Donations made beginning today are eligible for the competition, even though the online logging portal will not open until Aug. 26. Anyone can participate by donating at any blood center or blood drive in the United States, then logging the donation for Nebraska at BigTen.org/Abbott or by texting GIVEBLOOD to 222688 beginning Aug. 26 through Dec. 4.
Participants do not need to be University of Nebraska students, employees or alumni. Any Nebraska fan, friend or supporter anywhere in the country can donate and credit the donation to Nebraska.
Donors in the Lincoln area are encouraged to attend any of the following drives:
- Aug. 26:We Give Blood Drive-City Campus (mobile blood donation bus on S Street)
- Aug. 28:St. Mark’s on the Campus, Parish Hall
- Sept. 1:Nebraska Union, Centennial Room
Nebraska won the inaugural We Give Blood competition in 2024 with more than 4,000 donations, earning a $1 million grant from Abbott. The university distributed the funding to initiatives supporting students and communities across the state, including mental health support for Nebraska veterans, establishing an on-campus produce garden and adding a full-time financial coach for students, among other initiatives.
Support for the campaign surged in its second year. Nebraska recorded 14,551 donations in 2025, falling just 925 donations short of first-place Wisconsin. Nebraska led all Big Ten schools in alumni participation, with 3,167 alumni donations, and recorded the highest proportion of donations from its university community’s home city, with 32% coming from Lincoln.
“Being a Husker means being part of something bigger than ourselves, and the We Give Blood campaign is a powerful way to put that spirit of community and service into action,” said University of Nebraska–Lincoln Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson. “Every donation has the potential to save lives, and when Huskers come together, our collective impact can be extraordinary. I encourage every eligible Husker to participate and help us make a difference for people and communities across Nebraska and beyond.”
This year, the university is working with blood collection organizations, businesses, civic organizations and communities across Nebraska to expand participation and make donating as convenient as possible.
“Blood is essential to caring for patients experiencing trauma, undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment and facing many other serious health conditions,” said Dr. H. Dele Davies, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “It cannot be manufactured, and hospitals depend on volunteer donors to maintain a safe and reliable supply. At a time of critical need, donating blood is one of the most direct and meaningful ways each of us can help save lives.”
UNMC is helping to support the We Give Blood drive through blood drives happening in Omaha and near UNMC locations.
Donors may give at any eligible blood center or blood drive nationwide. To find a donation opportunity in Nebraska, visit the Nebraska Community Blood Bank at NCBB.org or the American Red Cross at RedCrossBlood.org.
The winning university will be announced during the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game on Dec. 5.
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donate blood at any blood center or blood drive in the United States between Aug. 25 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for the University of Nebraska in three easy steps:
- Beginning Aug. 26, visit BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688.
- Submit the donation and select Nebraska to ensure it counts toward the university’s total.
- Encourage friends, relatives and fellow Nebraska supporters to donate and log their donations for Nebraska
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at the website above throughout the campaign. People who log their donations made during the specified period will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Nebraska T-shirt while supplies last.
