PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics, RWJBarnabas Health and New Jersey Blood Services are partnering to host a first-of-its-kind blood drive to help address a critical nationwide shortage in blood donations. "The We Give Blood Drive," a partnership between Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rodkin Academic Success Center on the Busch campus.
 
"The We Give Blood Drive" initiative is designed to motivate Big Ten students, alumni and fans to donate blood by tapping into school pride and devotion to their teams. It will put rivalry and school spirit to the test as all of the schools compete to see who can donate the most blood, positively impacting lives across the country.
 
Donors are strongly encouraged to book an appointment via the following link. A photo ID is required, and all donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. Donors will receive a tee shirt and a beanie while supplies last.
 
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Rodkin Academic Success Center
201 Fitch Road | First floor
Piscataway, NJ 08854
 
The competition comes at a time when the U.S. is experiencing one of the biggest blood shortages in a generation, in part due to the fact that the number of younger donors has declined sharply in recent years. The initiative aims to inspire young people to become life-long donors to ensure a stable blood supply, especially as older adults become unable to donate.
 
Blood donations are needed for a wide variety of medical reasons, including trauma and accident victims, mothers experiencing complications after childbirth, and individuals receiving cancer treatment. One donation can save up to three lives.
 
 
The X's and O's
"The We Give Blood Drive" blood donation competition will run during the college football season, from Sept. 26 through Dec. 6, with the winner announced at the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis. Donation totals will be tracked live at BigTen.Org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
 
People who want to donate blood as part of the competition can learn more about eligibility, find participating local blood centers and validate their donation to count for their school of choice at BigTen.Org/Abbott.
 
Mobile blood drives for students and faculty are planned on campuses throughout the season. If someone lacks a participating center near them, they may choose to donate blood at any center across the country and upload proof of donation. Everyone who participates in the competition also will receive a free one-month subscription to B1G+, the Conference's streaming service via an email after uploading their proof of donation. Participants will also be entered to win two tickets and a trip to the Big Ten Football Championship Game on Dec. 7.
 
The school credited with donating the most blood — each donation counts for 1 point — will be named "The We Give Blood Drive" champion. The winning school will receive $1 million to advance student or community health.
 
"We're grateful for Abbott's important work and partnership with the Big Ten Conference," said Tony Petitti, Big Ten Conference Commissioner. "Students, alumni and fans of Big Ten universities are known across the country for both their competitive and community spirit, giving us confidence this campaign will inspire them to donate blood, support their favorite Big Ten school and potentially save a life."
 
Abbott and the Big Ten also announced that Abbott has become the health sciences and diagnostics partner of the Big Ten Conference. Abbott's transfusion business helps screen the world's blood supply.
 
About Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Department of Intercollegiate Athletics (Rutgers Athletics), comprised of 24 men's and women's varsity sports serving more than 730 student-athletes, is a member of the Big Ten Conference and governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Rutgers is the Birthplace of College Football, hosting the first-ever collegiate matchup on Nov. 6, 1869, a 6-4 victory over Princeton. Rutgers Athletics is uniquely positioned in the nation's largest media market with over seven million television households, along with access to Big Ten Network and its nearly 60 million homes across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1766, Rutgers University is the State University of New Jersey and eighth-oldest higher education institution in the country. As a premier academic institution, Rutgers is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.