Purdue University is calling on students, alumni and fans to donate blood to bolster national blood supply, compete for $1 million grant
- Purdue University joins all 18 Big Ten Conference schools competing in this year’s "We Give Blood" drive — a nationwide competition between all 18 Big Ten schools to drive the most blood donations and win a $1 million grant from global healthcare company Abbott
- For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis after donations dropped to a four-year summer low, threatening the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
- Purdue students, alumni, and fans can now log blood donations at BigTen.org/Abbott or by texting GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT) to count for Purdue from now through Dec. 4
- Donations that were made on or after August 12 will count toward the competition, which officially kicks off today
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University Athletics is calling on all Boilermakers to donate blood during the Abbott and Big Ten "We Give Blood" drive, a nationwide competition to turn school pride into life-saving action.
For only the second time in its history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis after donations dropped to a four-year summer low, threatening the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.
The competition officially kicks off Aug. 26, but to help address current shortages, Abbott and the Big Ten will honor any blood donations made since Aug. 12. Boilermakers from across the country can get involved now by logging any blood donation made on or after Aug. 12, or by scheduling a blood donation at their nearest blood drive or center. While any donation made at any blood center in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count toward the competition, donors in West Lafayette and the Greater Lafayette area can attend any of the following upcoming drives this week:
- 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Krach Leadership Center Lobby on Purdue’s campus
- 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 6 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Versiti’s Lafayette Blood Donation Center, 2200 Elmwood Ave., Suite D-16 (facing Greenbush Ave.), Lafayette
- 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Pride Lafayette, 640 Main Street, Lafayette
- Noon - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Crestview Community Church, 1400 Ortman Lane, Lafayette
- 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m Thursday, Aug. 27 at the St. Elizabeth East Bloodmobile, 1701 South Creasy Lane, Lafayette
Inspiring a new generation of donors
In addition to addressing current shortages, the "We Give Blood" competition also aims to help fuel a new generation of donors. Today, nearly a quarter of all blood donations come from people over 65, many of whom will soon be unable to continue donating. With only about 3% of those in the U.S. eligible to donate doing so, the need to recruit new donors is urgent.
In the Big Ten community-population alone, nearly 40 million people are likely eligible but may not yet be giving blood. If one in 15 of those people commit to donating blood into the future, that would close the gap left by an aging donor population.
‘We Give Blood’ at Purdue
In the competition’s first two years, more than 100,000 total donations helped save as many as 300,000 lives. Each school’s efforts helped secure a sustainable blood supply that the health system will depend on for decades to come: nearly one-third of student donors last year gave blood for the first time, and 96% said they would do it again.
Last year, Purdue students, fans, and alumni from across the country played a significant role in saving lives while competing for their school:
- Purdue had the highest percentage of alumni donations out of any school in the competition (34%).
- With 3,334 total donations, Purdue finished ninth in the "We Give Blood" drive in 2025 – narrowly falling behind Indiana by just 53 donations.
- In 2024, the in-state rivalry was just as close, with Purdue coming up short by just 39 donations. Both schools increased their total donations by nearly the same percentage (+282% for Indiana, +292% for Purdue) – teeing up another close race in 2026.
How to participate
Students, fans and alumni who donates blood anywhere in the U.S. between Aug. 12 and Dec. 4 can count their donation for Purdue in three easy steps:
- Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S.
- Take a photo or save your donation confirmation.
- Log it at BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to 222688 (ABBOTT).
Donation totals will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.org/Abbott throughout the campaign.
People who donate and log their donation will be eligible to receive an exclusive, limited-edition Purdue T-shirt while supplies last* and help their school be one step closer to winning $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health.
About the ‘We Give Blood’ drive
"We Give Blood" is a nationwide blood donation competition presented by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference, now in its third year. All 18 Big Ten universities compete for the most recorded donations, with the winning school receiving a $1 million grant from Abbott to advance student or community health. In its first two years, the campaign generated more than 100,000 donations collectively and helped save as many as 300,000 lives.
About Purdue Athletics
The Purdue Boilermakers, an NCAA Division I athletics department and member of the Big Ten Conference, are proud representatives of Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana. With 18 sports programs, the department maintains a vision within a culture of integrity and inclusion that empowers each Boilermaker student-athlete to achieve academic success, triumph athletically, and master leadership behaviors that enhance the pride and reputation of the University.
Purdue Athletics' mission is to develop champions, advance academic success, strengthen leadership capabilities, and promote positive student-athlete well-being. Above all, Boilermakers possess the courage to lead positively in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
Media Contact
Patrick O’Connell, Abbott public affairs, patrick.oconnell1@abbott.com, 847.282.2649
* Any potential incentives related to this program are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. T-shirts are available while supplies last. For terms and conditions, visit BigTen.org/Abbott.