The Spider bond transcends geography and class years, so you know great things will happen when alums work together.

Don Slaght, ’81, and Drew Saelens, ’02, teamed up recently after Slaght’s battle with prostate cancer to open an inaugural chapter of ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, a national nonprofit advancing awareness, education and research.

Because Slaght, a business owner in Normandy Beach, N.J., detected the cancer early in 2016, he now has a healthy diagnosis and a desire to become more involved in the charity. So after meeting fellow Spider Saelens at a ZERO summit last year, that drive only intensified.

Saelens works for the government affairs arm of the organization in Alexandria, Va., and quickly knew Slaght was a special advocate because of his desire to start a New Jersey chapter. 

“Don is leading the charge on establishing a ZERO presence in New Jersey and has been the person keeping others moving in the right direction,” Saelens said. “He is selflessly taking his time to spread awareness for the cause and raise funds and influence elected officials. He’s also a CEO, so we’re really lucky to have someone so skilled in management leading this type of model with ZERO.”

These two Spiders have linked up for the chapter’s first event in March, and Slaght attributes their success thus far to their shared alma mater.

“One Spider, Drew, is making a successful career at ZERO and taking this charity to cool new heights to help tens of thousands of men,” Slaght said. “Another is approaching it from a different angle because it hit me close to home. I realize how fortunate I was.”

Bravo on your hard work in promoting this cause! We’re so proud UR brought the two of you together.