CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Illinois Athletics is calling on all Fighting Illini students, fans, and alumni to roll up their sleeves — literally — as it joins the second annual “We Give Blood” drive, a high-stakes competition with a $1 million prize on the line.

In partnership with Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, the University of Illinois is vying against all 18 Big Ten schools in a coast-to-coast effort to see which university community can donate the most blood between August 27 and December 5, 2025. The school with the most logged donations will be awarded $1 million at the Big Ten Football Championship Game on December 6, with funds designated to advance student or community health.

“Donating blood is a powerful way Illini can support Illini,” said Darren Irby, Executive Director of Brand Partnerships at the American Red Cross. “Each donation has the power to save more than one life. We’re calling on Illini from every corner of the country to show how we bleed orange and blue.”

How to Participate

Donors can contribute at any blood drive or center in the U.S. during the campaign. To ensure their donation counts for Illinois, participants should log their donation by either:

• Texting “DONATE” to 222688 (ABBOTT), or
• Visiting BigTen.org/Abbott

Participants who donate and log their contributions during the competition, including on College Colors Day (Aug. 29), will receive a limited-edition Illinois T-shirt designed by popular collegiate apparel brand Homefield (while supplies last).

Why It Matters

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Yet, blood centers often operate with dangerously low supplies. The campaign highlights a growing concern: fewer young people are donating, while the need for blood continues to rise due to trauma cases, childbirth complications, and chronic conditions like cancer.

With this initiative, Abbott and the Big Ten hope to inspire a new generation of donors while rallying school spirit in the process.

Track the Race

A live leaderboard tracking each school’s donation count will be available throughout the campaign at BigTen.org/Abbott.

Whether you’re a student, alum, or lifelong fan, your donation can make a life-saving difference — and help bring $1 million back to the Illini community.

So grab your orange and blue, donate, and let’s show the Big Ten how Illinois gives back.