The university is asking students, alumni and fans to give blood this fall, both to help the national blood supply and to win $1 million for Minnesota. It's the 3rd year of the 'We Give Blood' drive, sponsored by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference. Whichever of the 18 Big Ten schools logs the most donations wins a $1 million Abbott grant for student and community health. The catch: donating isn't enough by itself. Your donation only counts for Minnesota if you log it.
Distance doesn't matter. You can donate at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S. Then text "DONATE" to 222688 (ABBOTT) or upload your proof at the campaign's logging page. The competition runs through Dec. 4. Donors who log a donation can get a limited-edition Minnesota T-shirt while supplies last. That's a good deal for a Gopher in Phoenix or Philly who'd like to help without driving home.
If you're on campus, the easiest option comes Wednesday, Oct. 21. The American Red Cross is running Homecoming blood drives from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Great Hall at Coffman Memorial Union and in the Minnesota Commons at the St. Paul Student Center. Sign up through the Red Cross's Maroon and Gold sponsor page. Homecoming organizers point out that every donation can help save up to 3 lives, and that someone in the U.S. needs blood every 2 seconds.
The need is real. The American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis this summer. Samantha Solberg, a Red Cross regional communications manager, said June donations fell 25%. She said the supply of type O blood briefly dropped to about half a day in July, when the target is a 5- to 6-day supply.
Minnesota's student face for the campaign is senior Trae Griffin. His father, Jamie, survived an ATV accident about 25 years ago that required surgeries and blood transfusions. "Without one donor 25 years ago, I probably wouldn't be here telling you this story," Griffin said. "Someone in America needs blood every two seconds. Which means that just in the time we've been talking, dozens of people have needed blood."
Minnesota is chasing 2 border rivals. Nebraska won the first year of the competition in 2024, and Wisconsin won in 2025. If giving blood to help a stranger isn't enough motivation, keeping a 3rd trophy away from the neighbors might be.
