{"id":135016,"date":"2026-08-26T01:59:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T06:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=135016"},"modified":"2026-08-25T17:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T22:04:58","slug":"135016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/08\/26\/135016\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska aims to reclaim ‘We Give Blood’ title"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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 System is calling on Nebraskans everywhere to help save lives and bring the We Give Blood championship back to Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After finishing fewer than 1,000 donations behind Wisconsin in 2025, Nebraska has set a goal of generating 20,000 donations this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNebraskans have always answered the call when our neighbors need us,\u201d University of Nebraska System President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said. \u201cEvery blood donation will save one life and, in many instances, has the potential to save several lives. Every Nebraskan, every student, faculty and staff member, as well as every alum, fan and community member, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. The campaign runs through Dec. 4.   (Due to the blood shortage, donations made between Aug. 12 and the official start also will be honored as part of the competition).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants do not need to be University of Nebraska System students, employees or alumni. Any Nebraska fan, friend or supporter anywhere in the country can donate and credit the donation to Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBlood is essential to caring for patients experiencing trauma, undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment and facing many other serious health conditions,\u201d said H. Dele Davies, MD, chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Donors on the UNMC Omaha campus are encouraged to attend any of the following events, including this Thursday. Information on each of the other events will be available in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n