Wisconsin leads as Big Ten fans support blood supply in "We Give" Blood Drive

Published by Kirby Winn on Monday, September 15, 2025 in News Releases

Big Ten schools in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin are off to a great start in the Big Ten's We Give Blood Drive, with Wisconsin leading all conference schools, Illinois in 5th, and Iowa 6th in the competition to recruit the most blood donors and win a $1-million grant from Abbott.

Big Ten We Give Blood Drive Leaderboard

The school that recruits the most blood donors during the Big Ten football season will receive a $1-million grant to advance student or community health. Donors receive a limited-edition Homefield-designed T-shirt to represent their favorite school (shown at www.BigTen.org/abbott and in media assets, available throughout the competition while supplies last).

Every donation made during the competition (Aug. 27 through Dec. 5) scores one point for the donor's favorite Big Ten school. Blood donors in all regions can receive a free T-shirt for their favorite school from Abbott, while supplies last. In addition, donors who come in sooner can earn even more - see below! 

To book an appointment to give blood with ImpactLife, call (800) 747-5401, text LIFESAVER to 999-777, or book online at bloodcenter.org, or via the Blood Center's mobile app (www.bloodcenter.org/app). 

Donors must register their donation through the “We Give Blood” campaign within two weeks of their donation. (Click here for complete information, including how to register a donation in the Big Ten We Give Blood Drive.)

Additional Donor Promotions from ImpactLife

• September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
• Donor Center Bonus continues through Sept. 21;
• All donors eligible for entry in drawing for Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones

To thank donors who come to ImpactLife donor centers during this busy time of year, the blood center is offering a $20 gift card or Good Giving donation bonus for all donations made at ImpactLife donor center locations through Sept. 21. The bonus is applied on top of the donor’s achieved frequency level reward, so gift card values begin at $20 (or $40, for donations made at Donor Centers) and increase with the donor’s annual number of donations. A full rewards chart—including values for different donation types (e.g., Whole Blood, Double Red Cell, or Platelet/Plasma)—is available at www.bloodcenter.org/donorforlife.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Every September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on the brave children and families facing a cancer diagnosis. ImpactLife reminds blood donors that “blood is medicine” for pediatric cancer patients. More than 10,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, and many of them will rely on blood transfusions throughout their treatment.

Pediatric cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery, or treatment for complications. Cancer and cancer treatments can put patients at risk for dangerously low red blood cell and platelet counts. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, lowering production of these essential blood components. Cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma attack the bone marrow directly. Blood and platelet transfusions allow young patients to receive the critical treatments needed to fight and survive cancer.

ImpactLife’s “Blood Is Medicine: Fight Childhood Cancer” campaign is raising awareness throughout September. Donors can learn more, access educational resources, and schedule an appointment at www.bloodcenter.org/childhoodcancer.

Donor Drawing: Bose QuietComfort Wireless Headphones
As an additional way to say  "thank you," donors who give blood Sept. 15 through Oct. 12 are invited to enter a drawing for a pair of Bose QuietComfort Headphones. Give blood with ImpactLife Sept. 15 - Oct. 12 and enter the drawing through the ImpactLife Donor Rewards account by midnight on Oct. 12 to be entered for a chance to win a Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Headphones. (Winner selected approx. Oct. 13.)

About ImpactLife
ImpactLife's mission is to save lives by engaging donors, supporting partners, and advancing medicine. Founded in 1974, ImpactLife supplies blood products and services to hundreds of hospitals, emergency services organizations, clinical researchers, and other blood centers throughout Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The nonprofit blood provider is ranked among the leading 12 blood suppliers in the United States. For more information on current blood inventory levels, our donor promotions, and more, see www.bloodcenter.org and find us @impactlifeblood on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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