Zachary Don Accepts School Partner of the Year Award on Behalf of SBU

Stony Brook University's decades-long commitment to blood donation was celebrated on a national stage last week as senior Zachary Don, president of the Student Blood Drive Committee, formally accepted the 2026 School Partner of the Year award from the Association for Blood Donor Professionals (ADRP) at its annual conference in Minneapolis.

The award, first announced earlier this spring, recognizes Stony Brook's 20-year partnership with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) and the more than 36,000 pints of blood collected during that time - an effort estimated to have saved over 110,000 lives. At the conference, Don's remarks highlighted the strength of the university community.

"We lead with compassion and selfless service, so when we ask someone to donate blood, they usually say yes," Don said while accepting the award. "I'm honored to accept it on our behalf."

Don opened with a series of heartfelt thank-yous, emphasizing that the recognition reflects a broad network of partners, mentors and volunteers. He began by thanking Yadira Navarro, director of community and stakeholder relations at NYBC.

"First, let me start with just saying thank you to Yadira, not just for the amazing work that she does, but for submitting this nomination on behalf of Stony Brook," he said. "Fun fact, New York Blood Center has hosted drives on campus longer than I've been alive."

On campus, Don credited Rick Gatteau, vice president for Student Affairs, for his continued support of blood drives. He also recognized Kate Valerio, advisor and volunteer with the Student Blood Drive Committee and host of WUSB's Health Matters, as the "glue" that keeps operations running smoothly at Stony Brook.

Academic partners were also front and center in Don's remarks. He thanked Professor Jeannie Guglielmo and the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, underscoring how faculty support extends even to rescheduling exams so student leaders can represent Stony Brook at events like the ADRP conference.

Over the past four years, the Student Blood Drive Committee has organized 25 blood drives, welcomed over 4,500 clients, engaged more than 150 student volunteers in the past year alone, and generated over 1,000 community service hours.

"When we were asked, 'Is getting people to donate blood at Stony Brook hard?' my answer might shock you, but I said no, because that's just who we are at Stony Brook," Don said. "We lead with compassion and selfless service, so when we ask someone to donate blood, they usually say yes."

While Don was standing at the podium in Minneapolis, he underscored that the award belongs to generations of Seawolf students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members who have rolled up their sleeves over the years.

"This is the voice and spirit of everybody," Don has said. "It's something we have built together."

- Lily Miller