CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Winning is in their blood.
The University of Illinois is teaming up to encourage people to donate blood now through Dec. 7. This is part of the We Give Blood Drive, a competition put together by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference.
"Blood can help people who are undergoing surgeries, trauma patients, mothers, even people who are battling cancer," said Deanna Cardone, a U of I alum and Abbott Transfusion Marketing Director.
The need for blood is critical, as the nation is in a major blood supply shortage. The competition is hoping to unite the younger generation, and get in on the gameday spirit to win.
The blood drive kicked off Wednesday afternoon, bringing together past and current students. Emily Oberst, an alum and Paralympian, said she was someone once in critical need of blood after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at age 12.
"Throughout my rounds of chemotherapy, I needed 34 bags of blood transfused in me just to keep me able to fight and really be here today," she said.
Now, she's the one donating the blood.
"Just think about those pediatric kids like me who really need that."
The competition runs now through Dec. 7. The winning team will receive one million dollars donated by Abbott towards their community health programs on campus.
To donate and help the Illini win first place, upload proof of donation here: https://bigten.org/abbott/
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