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Purdue joins Big Ten rivals in 'We Give Blood' challenge

On3 imageby: Tom Dienhart09/26/25TomDienhart1
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Kathy Widner learned the importance of blood for cancer patients watching daughter Molly battle a rare liver cancer that ultimately took her life in 2014 just before she turned 18. Molly had plans to attend Purdue and become a veterinarian.

“I had no idea that 99.9 percent of cancer patients need blood,” said Widner, a Purdue alum. “And Molly had over 100 units of blood in 23 months, and 50 of platelets.”

Purdue is looking to do its part to augment a U.S. blood supply that is in crisis. For the second year, Abbott and the Big Ten have partnered for the “We Give Blood” campaign. The goal: Tackling the national blood shortage. The event coincides with Purdue’s Hammer Down Cancer game vs. Illinois on Oct. 4. The game is sponsored by the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR), with funds raised through Hammer Down Cancer going to support the Tyler Trent Pediatric Cancer Research Center.

Students, fans, alumni and communities across the country are backing their favorite Big Ten schools by donating blood during the We Give Blood campaign. Every donation can help save up to three lives.

“A lot of cancer patients need help with getting blood transfusions,” said Brandt Patz, senior development officer of the PICR. “Platelets in our blood help stop the bruising and bleeding. Cancer patients need a steady supply of that. It’s important for them to be able to replenish their blood to help their body fight the cancer.”

Donations from young people have dropped dramatically, and most hospitals have less than two days’ worth of blood on hand.

“It’s just something that most people don’t know,” said Widner. “They think, ‘Oh, they’re getting chemo and they lose their hair.’ Those are kind of the two things that people equate with somebody battling cancer. But most people get a lot of blood, too.”

You don’t have to be in West Lafayette or even Indiana to donate toward Purdue’s cause in the competition. You can donate near where you live. Click here to find where.

Once you’ve donated, send proof of your donation. Click here for details.

The reward for the Big Ten school with the most donations: $1 million to advance student or community health.

The top school will be announced at the 2025 Big Ten championship game on Dec. 6, in Indianapolis.

For more information on We Give Blood, click here.

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