Tom Brady Leads Charge to Tackle Blood Shortage with Big Ten Blood Drive

Legendary quarterback Tom Brady has joined forces with Abbott and the Big Ten Conference to launch the "We Give Blood Drive," a nationwide competition among all 18 conference schools to address the critical blood shortage in the United States.

Tom Brady, the iconic NFL legend, has a deep understanding of the power of blood donations, having been a donor since his freshman year of high school. Recognizing the dire shortage of blood in the U.S., Brady is passionate about inspiring others to donate and save lives.

Tom Brady Leads Charge to Tackle Blood Shortage with Big Ten Blood Drive

"Every blood donation can save up to three lives," Brady emphasized to Fox News Digital. "This is one of those little things that makes a big impact, and we often take it for granted."

The "We Give Blood Drive" is a unique and innovative initiative that leverages the competitive spirit of the Big Ten Conference to motivate blood donations. From September 26th to December 6th, students, alumni, and fans of the 18 participating schools will have the opportunity to donate blood at mobile drives on campuses or at any donation center nationwide.

Tom Brady Leads Charge to Tackle Blood Shortage with Big Ten Blood Drive

To incentivize participation, the school that collects the most blood donations will receive a $1 million donation to advance student or community health. Additionally, all donors will receive a one-month free subscription to B1G+, the conference's streaming service.

Brady highlighted the critical need for young blood donors, as fewer and fewer individuals under the age of 25 have been giving blood. The "We Give Blood Drive" aims to reignite interest among this demographic by engaging them through the competition and offering rewards.

Tom Brady Leads Charge to Tackle Blood Shortage with Big Ten Blood Drive

Robert B. Ford, Chairman and CEO of Abbott, the multinational medical devices and health care company, emphasized the company's commitment to addressing blood shortages. "As a leader in diagnostics and testing, we realized we had to do something powerful to attract donors," Ford said.

While Brady is excited for all participating schools, he acknowledged that his heart will be with his alma mater, the University of Michigan. However, he emphasized that the competition is about more than rivalries; it's about making a difference in communities throughout the nation.

The progress of the "We Give Blood Drive" will be tracked live at BigTen.org/Abbott. The hope is that this initiative will not only replenish the blood supply but also inspire a future generation of blood donors.

Brady concluded with a message of optimism and encouragement: "I'm thrilled to partner with Abbott and the Big Ten to do this. It's a creative and thoughtful way to make a positive impact in our communities."