ABOUT THE
UNIVERSITY BLOOD
INITIATIVE.

OUR

PURPOSE.

We are helping to prevent blood shortages and save lives, one donation at a time.

Shortages of donor products, lack of young and diverse donor donations, and overreliance on inefficient national blood systems have made America’s blood supply unstable. Unacknowledged racism has caused these shortages to hit low socioeconomic status and communities of color the hardest.

From maternity wards to trauma units, blood donations save countless lives every day, and an inadequate supply puts them at risk–and no one’s talking about it.

That’s where we come in.

We are unafraid to be raw, real, and loud because no one's health should have to suffer because of something so preventable.

MISSION & VISION.

Our mission is to create a sustainable and equitable blood supply for the good of all.

Our vision is to continuously engage a national network of young, diverse blood donor advocates to ensure the issue of blood donation is never forgotten.

Founded at the University of Chicago in 2017, the University Blood Initiative officially received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2021, and has since expanded to chapters at dozens of universities across the country–and we’re still growing. Our chapters partner with local blood centers to promote community engagement, education, and blood donation. You can learn more about our chapter model and partner centers here.

PARTNERS.

UBI is proud to partner with community-focused blood centers, patient advocates, and health equity organizations throughout the country. We couldn’t do what we do without them and their commitment to fighting blood shortages across the United States – and beyond.

All Our Partners