One of the Big Ten’s more prominent partnerships reached a notable milestone on Saturday.The conference and health care company Abbott awarded a $1 million grant to Nebraska to “advance student or community health” as the winners of the “We Give Blood Drive,” which was held at each of the Big Ten’s 18 campuses over the last four months.As part of the effort, nearly 20,000 students, alumni and fans donated blood during the competition that ran from Sept. 26 through Dec. 6. The event is also slated to be held again next fall."With the U.S. experiencing the worst blood shortage in a generation, Abbott saw an opportunity to support rebuilding the nation's blood supply,” said Melissa Brotz, Abbott’s chief marketing and communications. "Through our partnership with the Big Ten, we tapped into the inherent competitiveness of college rivalries to encourage students, alumni and fans to donate blood."The blood drive marked the conference’s first promotion across its 18 members. It also received support from its media partners -- CBS, Fox, NBC and the Big Ten Network. As part of the agreement, Abbott got on-field signage during last weekend's Big Ten championship between Oregon and Penn State.Abbott also worked with athletes on each of the Big Ten’s varying campuses through NIL deals that functionally worked as influencer partnerships between the company and athletes. Former players like Matt Leinart, Archie Griffin and Tom Brady, too, helped promote awareness around the campaign earlier this fall."This was the first time the Big Ten has partnered with a health care company, and it was an honor to name Abbott our first-ever health science and diagnostics partner," said Tyler Kupper, VP/corporate partnerships for the Big Ten. "The impact is proven in the results, and the number of lives saved demonstrates the powerful role sports and competition can play in making a difference."

Big Ten, Abbott partner for $1 million grant

One of the Big Ten’s more prominent partnerships reached a notable milestone on Saturday. The conference and health care company Abbott awarded a $1 million grant to Nebraska to “advance student or community health” as the winners of the “We Give Blood Drive,” which was held at each of the Big Ten’s 18 campuses over […]

One of the Big Ten’s more prominent partnerships reached a notable milestone on Saturday.

The conference and health care company Abbott awarded a $1 million grant to Nebraska to “advance student or community health” as the winners of the “We Give Blood Drive,” which was held at each of the Big Ten’s 18 campuses over the last four months.

As part of the effort, nearly 20,000 students, alumni and fans donated blood during the competition that ran from Sept. 26 through Dec. 6. The event is also slated to be held again next fall.

“With the U.S. experiencing the worst blood shortage in a generation, Abbott saw an opportunity to support rebuilding the nation’s blood supply,” said Melissa Brotz, Abbott’s chief marketing and communications. “Through our partnership with the Big Ten, we tapped into the inherent competitiveness of college rivalries to encourage students, alumni and fans to donate blood.”

The blood drive marked the conference’s first promotion across its 18 members. It also received support from its media partners — CBS, Fox, NBC and the Big Ten Network. As part of the agreement, Abbott got on-field signage during last weekend’s Big Ten championship between Oregon and Penn State.

Abbott also worked with athletes on each of the Big Ten’s varying campuses through NIL deals that functionally worked as influencer partnerships between the company and athletes. Former players like Matt Leinart, Archie Griffin and Tom Brady, too, helped promote awareness around the campaign earlier this fall.

“This was the first time the Big Ten has partnered with a health care company, and it was an honor to name Abbott our first-ever health science and diagnostics partner,” said Tyler Kupper, VP/corporate partnerships for the Big Ten. “The impact is proven in the results, and the number of lives saved demonstrates the powerful role sports and competition can play in making a difference.”