Every few minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. According to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), for many patients, a bone marrow or stem cell transplant offers the best chance of survival. With only 30 percent of patients finding a match within their family, most depend on donations from strangers.
In response to this need, Stony Brook University will host an NMDP donor drive from March 24-27 at the Student Activities Center. The event provides students and community members an opportunity to join the registry through a simple cheek swab.
Evan Gauer, a Stony Brook alumnus who joined the registry in 2021 during an on-campus donor drive while recruiting for the rugby team, understands its importance firsthand. A year later, he was matched with a nine-year-old boy battling blood cancer. "That moment really shifted my perspective," said Gauer. "After my surgery, I knew I had to do more."
Gauer has since dedicated himself to raising awareness and recruiting donors for NMDP by attending events like Governors Ball Music Festival and New York Islanders games. He emphasizes that many people have misconceptions about bone marrow donation: "People hear 'bone marrow donation' and assume it’s painful or risky... In 90% of donations, it’s done through a process similar to donating blood."
Beyond his volunteer efforts with NMDP—formerly Be The Match—Gauer co-founded GetTalky, an AI-powered health technology company focused on improving patient-provider communication. His journey began at Stony Brook where he participated in business competitions and met his co-founder.
"The energy at Stony Brook was all about hustling," Gauer noted. One significant influence was Ed Fabian, an adjunct professor who introduced him to organic networking. Under Fabian's mentorship, GetTalky evolved from focusing on insurance to healthcare.
Students and staff are encouraged to participate in the upcoming donor drive at Stony Brook's Student Activities Center.— Beth Squire