Former NFL legend Tom Brady has teamed up with Abbott and the Big Ten Conference to launch a nationwide blood donation drive among all 18 schools in the conference. The initiative aims to tackle the severe blood shortage in the United States.
Tom Brady is known for his competitive spirit on the football field, but he's also passionate about making a difference off it. The former NFL quarterback has joined forces with Abbott, the multinational medical devices and health care company, and the Big Ten Conference for a first-of-its-kind blood donation competition.
The nationwide initiative, dubbed the We Give Blood Drive, will see all 18 Big Ten schools vie for a $1 million donation to advance student or community health. The school that donates the most blood — each donation counts for one point — will receive the generous prize.
Tom Brady Leads Blood Drive Competition Among Big Ten Schools
"We’re at a huge blood shortage in the U.S., and for every blood donation, you can save up to three lives," Brady told Fox News Digital. "I think that’s the important part. Sometimes, we take for granted the little things that make big impacts, and this is one of them."
The blood drive initiative is designed to reignite interest in blood donation among young people, as fewer and fewer under the age of 25 have been volunteering to give blood. To encourage participation, students, alumni, and fans of the 18 schools involved will see mobile blood drives on campuses throughout the college football season, from Sept. 26 through Dec. 6.
Tom Brady Leads Blood Drive Competition Among Big Ten Schools
Those who wish to donate can also go to any center across the country and show proof of donation. Everyone who participates will receive a one-month free subscription to B1G+, the conference's streaming service.
Brady, a University of Michigan alumnus, is excited to see his alma mater participate in the competition. But beyond rivalries, he emphasizes the significance of the initiative in helping communities nationwide.
Tom Brady Leads Blood Drive Competition Among Big Ten Schools
"I love that people are trying to do positive things and find really unique ways and strategies to create awareness," said Brady. "Abbott partnering with the Big Ten and really making it a competition, all the students can all participate, and they give back to the school when the team competes and when they win. It’s just very creative. It’s very thoughtful. It’s a fun way to do good things in our communities and just happy to partner with Abbott and the Big Ten to do it."
Robert B. Ford, chairman and CEO of Abbott, added, "The U.S. continues to experience ongoing blood shortages, and we knew as a leader in diagnostics and testing we had to do something powerful to draw in donors. What better way to inspire people to donate than tapping into rivalries between Big Ten schools and offering up a friendly competition. It’s our hope we’ll give the blood supply a significant boost while inspiring a future generation of blood donors."
As the competition gets underway, donations will be tracked live at BigTen.org/Abbott. Brady encourages everyone to participate and make a difference in the lives of others.
"We’re at a huge blood shortage in the U.S., and for every blood donation, you can save up to three lives," he emphasized. "I think that’s the important part. Sometimes, we take for granted the little things that make big impacts, and this is one of them."
