GB Blizzard, JFG kick off the Lifesaving Drive initiative

Rachel Kroeger

Staff

March 9, 2026

GREEN BAY – On the field, the Green Bay Blizzard may focus on football, but the team’s No.1 priority off the field is supporting the community it calls home.

Ryan Hopson, the Blizzard’s director of sales, said the IFL team has a history of supporting the community through “partnerships” – such as its recent Power Up Playgrounds initiative with Total Energy Systems, which The Business News previously featured in its Nov. 3, 2025 issue.

The team’s outreach continues, Hopson said, with an April 18 partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where the Blizzard will play as the “Frozen Phoenix” to engage more young fans, an initiative highlighted by The Business News in its Dec. 15, 2025 issue.

“We understand the word in sports is typically ‘sponsorship,’ [but] we don’t believe in that word with the Green Bay Blizzard,” he said. “It has to be a two-way street, and we look to make a difference in the communities we work and play football in. So, ‘partnership’ is the key word here, and we’re extremely grateful.”

Now, Hopson said the team, along with partner, Johnson Financial Group (JFG), is tackling blood bank shortages by kicking off the Community Blood Center’s (CBC) Lifesaving Drive.

“Blood donation is necessary in our community,” John Hagins, president and CEO of the CBC, said.

Though “60-65%” of the population is eligible to donate blood, Hagins said only 3% do – making initiatives with local businesses like the Blizzard and JFG essential.

“What we’re here to talk about is how everyone can get involved, how everyone can make the commitment to donate blood and when you do that, you’ll have a great experience in store for you as part of this partnership,” he said.

Over the next four months, Hagins said the CBC hopes to host eight to 10 blood drives in partnership with the Blizzard and JFG at its Green Bay donation center – located at 1241 Lombardi Access Road, Suite H.

Though specific dates haven’t been set for those drives, JFG’s Regional President-Northeast Bruce Zak – a CBC board member and long-term donor – said the goal is to increase community awareness and encourage businesses to host their own blood drives.

“The Lifesaving Drive gives all of us a chance to make saving lives part of our game plan,” he said. “Johnson Financial Group is excited to lead by example by hosting blood drives with the Blizzard right here in the Green Bay donor center this spring.”

JFG’s commitment to blood donation, Zak said, stems from a personal connection.

“Many people know a friend, family member or coworker who has received blood at some point, including myself,” he said.

Roughly two years ago, Zak said his nephew’s college football career was put on hold after he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

“Instead of going to college, he embarked on a six-month battle to fight through that, and worked with local hospitals right here in Green Bay,” he said. “So, blood products generated from the Community Blood Center actually helped with his treatments. I’m happy to say that he’s now back at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse playing football, and he tackled it like a champ.”

Both Zak and Hopson said their respective companies look to partner with organizations, like the CBC, that share in their commitment to community.

“We believe winning isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about how we show up for our neighbors,” Hopson said. “By coming together to boost the blood supply, we make a winning play for patients right in our own backyard.”

Those who donate during one of the CBC’s Lifesaving blood drives in Green Bay, Hopson said, will have a chance to score tickets to a “special donor experience” at the Blizzard’s June 12 home game.

“The Lifesaving Drive donors will cheer on the Blizzard from the best seats in the house and be invited to take part in a special MVP experience at the game,” he said. “The experience is all about recognizing donors as the MVPs they truly are. It’s a small token of our appreciation for the many lives that are saved by blood donors in our communities.”

‘A no-brainer’

Every two seconds, Hagins said someone in the U.S. “needs a blood transfusion.”

“That is a lot of blood every day, and the need is constant,” he said. “What we really want to do is make sure blood is available and there’s a stable blood supply well in advance of the time it’s needed.”

Though many opportunities exist for individuals to take initiative and donate at one of the CBC’s numerous blood drives themselves, Hagins said local businesses have the chance to help their employees give back while on the clock by sponsoring their own blood drives.

“While everyone can come into one of our donor centers or one of the 100 mobile blood drives we have in the community every month, it’s really organizations and employers helping sponsor blood drives that drive blood donation in our community,” he said.

Hagins said the top reasons people cite for not donating are lack of awareness and inconvenience.

“Employers can make sure people are asked to donate blood, and there’s no other way to make it more convenient than make it part of the workday,” he said. “We have so many businesses today that host blood drives regularly, and that’s really… the way to make the biggest impact.”

Bolstering overall awareness around the importance of blood donation – in or out of the workplace – Zak said, is the ultimate goal of the Lifesaving Drive.

“There is definitely a lack of understanding of the importance of this in our community,” he said. “Once people understand the cause, it is almost self-explanatory, but the hard part is getting that message out.”

The commitment to donate, Zak said, is not overly burdensome either – “you’re talking about an hour of your time.”

“This is a no-brainer,” he said. “It’s an important part of our healthcare system, and it’s something that everybody can do.”

Hopson said there’s no cap to the number of fans the team is willing to accommodate for the Lifesaving Drive MVP donor experience, because there’s never been a cap on the community’s unrelenting support for local sports entertainment.

“[It will be] a win on June 12 if the fan tunnel is too [full], and we have to have the players come up twice for player introductions,” he said. “Community partners make things like Blizzard football, [Green Bay] Gamblers hockey [and Green Bay] Rockers baseball continue to exist, and supporting them, whether you come out as part of the Lifesaving Drive or just come out to a game, allows us to continue to make an impact in the community.”

To schedule an appointment or for more information on the Lifesaving Drive and MVP donor experience, visit communityblood.org/TLD2026.