University of Minnesota competes in blood donation drive against other Big Ten schools

Big Ten schools won't just be competing in sports this fall. They're also competing in a blood donation drive.

"I'm a pretty big fan. Of course, I think the Gophers are going to be great," said Trae Griffin, a University of Minnesota senior. 

Griffin can't wait for football season to start. And while the Gophers try to take down rivals Iowa and Wisconsin, he will be trying to do the same thing through a blood drive. 

"I thought it was super cool. Something I can make a difference with, for sure," said Griffin. 

The "We Give Blood" drive will kick off this week. It's a competition between the 18 Big Ten Schools to see who can donate the most blood. It starts Wednesday and will run through the Big Ten Championship game in early December. Griffin is essentially the Gopher's blood drive captain. 

"Someone in America needs blood every two seconds. Which means that just in the time we've been talking, dozens of people have needed blood," said Griffin. 

Griffin said his dad Jamie is his inspiration for becoming the U of M's student ambassador. Years ago, Griffin's father almost lost his life in an ATV accident.

"They were just riding their four-wheelers, and they went up a hill and unfortunately he might have been learning back too far and the four-wheeler came back and landed on his face," said Griffin. 

A series of surgeries and blood transfusions likely saved Jamie's life. The accident happened a couple years before Griffin was born. 

"So without one donor 25 years ago, I probably wouldn't be here telling you this story," said Griffin. 

U of M students, alumni or fans can donate at any blood center and bank a point for the Gophers by submitting it at BigTen.Org/Abbott. The winning school will receive a $1 million grant from Abbott for student and community health initiatives. 

"One hour of your life can add so many years to somebody else's life. So, I think it's just important for Minnesotans to come together for this big cause," said Griffin. 

Blood donations can count towards the competition starting Monday, even though the logging portal doesn't open until Wednesday. 

Last month, the American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis due to a low number of donations.