CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The University of Illinois is once again participating in a contest with its fellow Big Ten institutions to fight the worst blood shortage in a generation.

The conference is partnering with Abbott Laboratories for the second year in a row to host the “We Give Blood” drive. All 18 of the Big Ten’s members are competing to see which school’s fans can donate the most blood during the college football season. The winning institution gets a $1 million prize from Abbott to advance student or community health.

“We are glad to partner with Abbott once again to provide this opportunity for every Big Ten fan across the country to help solve the worst U.S. blood shortage in decades,” Tony Petitti, Big Ten Conference Commissioner, said in a statement. “Big Ten fans are competitive and compassionate. We are confident they will embrace this challenge not only in the months ahead, but for years to come.”

Officials from Abbott said someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. These people include trauma victims, mothers experiencing complications during childbirth and cancer patients. One person’s donation can save up to three lives.

But fewer people under the age of 25 are donating, and people become less eligible to donate as they grow older. This is contributing to a blood shortage that has lasted several years, and some blood centers are reporting supplies that will last less than a day.

The Big Ten Conference partnered with Abbott last year to combat this shortage, challenging its newly expanded membership to donate blood and outdo the other institutions by registering the most donations. The blood drive’s website indicates that 60,000 lives were saved thanks to last year’s donations. The University of Nebraska won the contest with nearly 4,000 donors, saving as many as 12,000 lives. The University of Illinois finished in 8th.

The second edition of the “We Give Blood” drive will take place between Aug. 27 and Dec. 5. Students, fans and alumni can donate their blood and register the donation toward their university by texting DONATE to 222688 or by logging the donation on the blood drive’s website.

To learn where to donate, click here.

The winner of the 2025 “We Give Blood” drive will be announced at halftime of the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6.