UNMC has an opportunity on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to support the Big Ten Conference and Abbott’s “We Give Blood” challenge — a campaign to combat critical blood shortages and encourage more young people to become blood donors.
On-campus blood drive opportunities
UNMC
- Sept. 23: Lied Transplant Center | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Oct. 30: Center for Healthy Living | 9 a.m.-noon
- Nov. 25: Lied Transplant Center | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
UNMC’s drive is operated by the Nebraska Community Blood Bank – the provider of blood for Nebraska Medicine.
Appointments are recommended. Donors can schedule an appointment for the drive online. Enter sponsor code NMRT for the Sept. 23 or Nov. 25 blood drive and CHL for the Oct. 30 blood drive; or call 402-486-9414. The bloodmobile will be parked outside the Lied Transplant Center on Emile Street on Sept. 23 and Nov. 25, and at the Center for Healthy Living on Oct. 30.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Sept. 29-Oct. 3: Homecoming Blood Drive | Sponsored by Student Life and ASUN
- Sept. 29: City Campus | 11 a.m.-6 p.m
- Sept. 30: City Campus | 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 1: East Campus | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Oct. 2: City Campus | 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Oct. 10: Nebraska Innovation Campus | Sponsored by the American Red Cross | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Nov. 14: Memorial Stadium | Sponsored by Husker Athletics | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Nov. 19-21: St. Mark’s on the Campus | Sponsored by the American Red Cross
From Aug. 27 to Dec. 5, students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans across the state — and from other campuses across the University of Nebraska System — are encouraged to donate blood and log their donation to count toward Nebraska’s total. This year, UNMC has joined the team and has a series of blood drives scheduled.
Each contribution supports a lifesaving cause — and could help the university defend its title as last year’s challenge champion.
In 2024, more than 20,000 Big Ten donors participated in the competition, helping save an estimated 60,000 lives. Nebraska made it to the top of the leaderboard — earning $1 million to advance student and community health.
Blood donations are needed every two seconds in the U.S. They help trauma victims, mothers after childbirth, patients undergoing surgery and those receiving cancer treatment. Despite this constant demand, blood centers are facing dangerously low supply levels — and donations from young adults have declined significantly.
All 18 Big Ten universities are rallying their communities to donate. The school with the most verified donations will receive $1 million to support student or community health initiatives.
Donors can join the challenge in three steps:
- Donate blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 27 and Dec. 5.
- Log your donation (with your name, photo or confirmation email) at this We Give Blood challenge link or by texting DONATE to 222688 (ABBOTT).
- Track progress in real time at the challenge website.
Whether donating on campus or at a local blood center, every contribution helps — and all logged donations count toward Nebraska’s total.
Each pint of donated blood can save up to three lives. Whether it’s a first-time donation or part of a continued commitment, this is a chance to support public health and demonstrate the power of the University of Nebraska.