North Plainfield Man Battling Leukemia on a Life-Saving Mission to Encourage Blood Donations During Big 10 “We Give Blood” Competition

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (October 20, 2026) — Diego Orozco knows firsthand that every blood donation offers new hope for blood cancer patients like him. After battling leukemia and enduring three stem cell transplants, the 34-year-old North Plainfield resident has  relied on countless blood transfusions to survive some of the most difficult moments of his cancer journey.

Today, as he continues to move forward with resilience and gratitude, Orozco is using his experience to advocate for more blood donors, reminding others that a simple act of generosity can help give patients like him a second chance—and, in many cases, save  a life.

Diego Orozco enjoys a visit from the Rutgers University Men’s Basketball Team during his first hospitalization at RWJUH.

Following each transplant at Rutgers Cancer Institute and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), Diego needed multiple blood transfusions as his body struggled to produce its own blood.

“I always felt very fortunate that every time I needed a transfusion there was blood available for me,” Diego explains. “I have benefitted from the generosity of so many selfless donors. Even today, I depend on them. Every time I needed them, they have been

my bridge to stability and helping my body recover.”

Diego, who is currently recovering from his third stem cell transplant, encourages any individual who is eligible to donate blood and blood products to support the Abbott and Big Ten "We Give Blood" initiative, a nationwide competition to turn school pride  into life-saving action by addressing national blood shortages. The competition is presented by Abbott, the Big 10 Conference, Rutgers Athletics, and RWJBarnabas Health Blood Services. 

To read Diego’s full story, CLICK HERE.

To participate in the competition and support patients like Diego, simply:

1. Donate blood at any blood drive or blood center in the U.S. between August 26 and December 4, 2026.
2. Take a photo of your donation or save your donation confirmation.
3. Log your donation at www.BigTen.org/Abbott or text GIVEBLOOD to
   222688 (ABBOTT).

For a convenient location to donate blood or platelets, please visit: https://giveblood.rwjbh.org/donorportal/

The winner of the “We Give Blood” drive will be announced at the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on December 5. The winning school will receive $1 million from Abbott to advance student or community health. Donations  will be tracked on a live leaderboard at BigTen.Org/Abbott  throughout the campaign.

Diego Orozco, center, with family at home.

About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital:
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), a RWJBarnabas Health Facility, is a 724-bed academic medical center in New Brunswick that is New Jersey’s largest academic medical center through its deep partnership with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical
School and Rutgers Cancer Institute. RWJUH is home to the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a nationally-ranked 2026-27 Best Children’s Hospital by
U.S. News & World Report. RWJUH is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital for 2026-2027 with 10 High Performing Adult Specialties and Conditions. Centers of Excellence include heart and vascular care from minimally
invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, orthopedics, pediatrics and women’s health. 

As the only state-designated Adult Level 1 Trauma Center with an ACS COT Level I-verified Pediatric Trauma Center in New Jersey,
RWJUH serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

For more information, visit us online at www.rwjbh.org/newbrunswick

About RWJBarnabas Health:
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated
to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health.
RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org.

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