SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo will partner with NMDP on Thursday, October 29, to raise awareness about blood stem cell donation and provide members of the Saint Leo community with an opportunity to learn how they could help save a life.

Tables will be available outside Benedict's Coffee Shop and the campus cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The partnership will continue during Saint Leo University's annual Haunted Halls Halloween celebration from 7 p.m.-9 p.m., offering additional opportunities for students, families and community members to learn about NMDP and joining its registry.

According to NMDP, 70 percent of patients who need a blood stem cell transplant do not have a fully matched donor within their family. These patients depend on NMDP to help find an unrelated donor, making registry participation an important opportunity to potentially save a life.

Through this initiative, Saint Leo encourages students, faculty, staff and community members to learn more about blood stem cell donation and how joining the NMDP Registry could make a difference for someone in need.

The evening partnership coincides with Saint Leo University's Haunted Halls, a free Halloween celebration open to the public on the university's residential campus. Hosted at Apartments 1 and 2, the event will run from 7-9 p.m. and feature trick-or-treating, a haunted house, a costume contest and a pumpkin patch. The celebration offers families and neighbors an opportunity to enjoy Halloween festivities while connecting with the Saint Leo community.

Admission to Haunted Halls is free, and registration is not required. Families, students and community members are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and join the festivities.

Guests attending Haunted Halls can park in the 740-space parking garage located directly beneath Jody Luihn Family Stadium.

Those unable to attend the NMDP tables can scan the QR code on the event flyer to learn more and join the NMDP Registry.

For more information about NMDP, contact Maya Woods at mwoods@nmdp.org. For questions about Haunted Halls, contact residence.life@saintleo.edu.

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026

• NMDP daytime tabling: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• NMDP evening tabling: 7-9 p.m.

• Daytime locations: Outside Benedict's Coffee Shop and the campus cafeteria

• Evening location: Apartments 1 and 2 during Haunted Halls

• Haunted Halls activities: Trick-or-treating, haunted house, costume contest and pumpkin patch

• Haunted Halls admission: Free; no registration required

• Parking: Garage beneath Jody Luihn Family Stadium

• NMDP contact: Maya Woods, mwoods@nmdp.org

• Haunted Halls contact: residence.life@saintleo.edu