It’s game time off the field too, Bruins: Join the Big Ten’s blood drive challenge

As UCLA kicks off its second season in the Big Ten Conference, the competition isn’t just about touchdowns and trophies. Beginning today, the Big Ten’s second annual “We Give Blood” challenge gets underway, a friendly showdown among the conference’s 18 universities to see who can rally the most blood donors.

Sponsored by the Big Ten and global health care company Abbott, the competition runs through Dec. 5, with the winning school announced Dec. 6 at the Big Ten championship football game in Indianapolis. The top-donating university will receive a $1 million prize from Abbott to support student and community health initiatives.

Every member of the Bruin community — students, employees, alumni, family members and fans — has the chance make a lifesaving play by giving blood or platelets at either of UCLA’s two Blood and Platelet Center locations (see hours below) or at any national donation site and logging their donation through the UCLA Athletics “We Give Blood” webpage or texting DONATE to 222688 (ABBOTT).

Why blood donations matter for UCLA and the nation

The U.S. is currently facing one of the largest blood shortages in a generation. And at UCLA, the “summer slump,” when fewer people are on campus to donate, means donations are now especially urgent — they’re how our world-class UCLA Health medical centers continue to provide excellent care to patients in need, from trauma victims and transplant recipients to cancer patients and mothers experiencing complications after childbirth. Platelet donations are especially needed, and UCLA’s medical staff can walk you through the process if you’d like to learn more.

Donating is a great play call — you can save lives and show the Big Ten what the Bruin spirit is all about.