University of Wisconsin-Madison “fans, students and alumni” can donate to the third annual Abbott and Big Ten We Give Blood drives hosted around campus during school days for a free T-shirt, and a chance to help UW-Madison win a $1 million prize for student or community health.
The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis for the second time in history. With blood donation numbers falling to a four-year low this summer, donations are not meeting hospital demands and Red Cross is limiting its distribution of the most commonly transfused blood type — O positive — to ensure availability for patients in need.
One blood donation can save up to three lives as donations can be split into red blood cells, plasma and platelets for distribution.
Badgers across the country can donate in UW-Madison’s name from Aug. 12 to Dec. 4, with specific blood drives happening on campus throughout the semester.
The university hosted a Homecoming Blood Drive in 2025 to encourage students and Madison residents to participate in the cause and donate. They will host another round of blood drives from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 for homecoming this year.
To incentivize donations, Abbott and Big Ten drive will award $1 million to the Big Ten school that collects the most donations.
Student athletes are leading the charge as Abbott currently partners with 11 Badgers, including programs like Track and Field, Women’s Hockey and Rowing.
Blair Brophy, Abbott Associate Director of Corporate and Patient Storytelling, told the Cardinal many of the athletes have personal ties to blood donations.
Brophy said many families experience the need for blood transfusions or are regular blood donors, so connecting with students through UW athletes is a way to highlight the student perspective.
“Oftentimes when you donate blood, you don't know where it goes. It feels very anonymous,” Brophy said. “Sometimes having that name [and] that face and that personal connection, especially to somebody in your own community, can really inspire someone to give back and give blood.”
UW-Madison won the 2025 challenge with 15,476 donations last year and looks to defend its title. They had the highest percentage of in-state donors in 2025, which earned them a $1 million Abbott grant to “advance student and community health.”
UW-Madison leads this year’s challenge so far, with 3,611 donors compared to runner-up University of Nebraska’s 2,538.
“I think Badgers — that Badger pride, that commitment to competition, that commitment to community — definitely reigned through last year,” Brophy told The Daily Cardinal.
Wisconsin used the 2025 grant money to expand peer wellness coaching, create an on-campus course for experiential health and leadership development and launch a mental health-focused concert series.
People 65 and over encompass almost a quarter of all blood donations, and Brophy said Abbott is trying to make young people aware that there is no substitute for blood donations. Young adults 19-24 make up just over 5% of all blood donations.
“Donate. It takes less than an hour to sign up for an appointment all the way through. Your donation will have an impact,” Brophy said. “And what's better than saving lives? Logging your donation to get a T-shirt, and potentially helping your university win a $1 million grant. It’s a win, win, win.”
