Blood donation

The University of Wisconsin captured the Abbott‑Big Ten “We Give Blood” title, earning a $1 million grant to fund health initiatives. The drive saw a 319% jump in participation, with 83,043 donations—roughly 250,000 lives saved—across the conference. Student donors increased 168% from 2024, and 37% were first‑time donors; 92% say they will donate again. Competitive “One‑Up” challenges and campus engagement spurred the surge, underscoring the power of sport‑driven philanthropy to address the nation’s severe blood shortage.