June 20, 2025
Zach Scotto (BA ’16, BEd ’19) was just eight years old when his mom, Loraine, died of leukemia at the age of 31 after a two-year battle with the disease.
In the nearly 25 years since his mom’s passing, Scotto — an and high school teacher with the Waterloo Region District School Board — has honoured her life in different ways. Her name is inked on the inside of his right bicep in a red script, one of his three memorial tattoos. Scotto has also maintained a collection of items from his mom, including the last card she wrote him, before she died.
Yet the most impactful way Scotto has chosen to honour his mother is by regularly giving blood because cancer patients may require blood transfusions during treatment. Scotto has made 59 donations to date and his 60th will take place on July 28 — another milestone in his personal journey to celebrate his mom’s life and legacy.
Zach Scotto as a toddler with his mom.
Despite his young age at the time, Scotto recalls his mom’s illness and the bravery she demonstrated during treatment.
“She fought hard – really, really hard,” says Scotto. “She went into remission for a little while and that was great. Unfortunately, the cancer came back and my mom chose not to go through treatment again, as it was very rough on her.”
Scotto visited his mom in the hospital when she was well enough for company. His maternal grandparents, who he lived with during his mother’s treatment, did their best to ensure Scotto could spend time with his mom while protecting him from the painful realities of cancer treatment.
“My mom’s family was, and still is, super tight,” he says. “I am an only child, but all my cousins are like my siblings and I feel really lucky to have such a big, supportive family.”
Scotto making his 59th donation on June 3, 2025.
Scotto gave blood for the first time as a senior student at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin, Ontario at age 17.
“I remember seeing a flyer at school for a mobile clinic that Canadian Blood Services was holding and I had just become old enough to donate,” says Scotto. “With my mom’s experience in mind, giving blood was something that I could at least try.”
Scotto recalls his first donation as an easy-going, seamless experience. Friendly clinic staff, a welcoming environment for donors and a few hours out of class with friends turned a first-time donor into a champion for blood donation.
“How else are you going to be able to make that kind of an impact in such a short amount of time? You can literally save someone’s life by just sitting there for a few minutes,” says Scotto.
Scotto joined the ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ community as a student-athlete with ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨’s football program in 2011 and has actively supported ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨’s partnership with Canadian Blood Services ever since. He has organized team blood drives and donated regularly during the Blood Battle, a friendly blood donation competition between varsity teams at ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ and the University of Waterloo during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scotto’s eligible friends and family members have also become blood donors.
During June, ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ supported Canadian Blood Services with a blood drive. Members of ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨’s football program, including head coach Michael Faulds, defensive lineman Matt Caruso and tight end Ryan Speight, joined Scotto and donated during the month-long campaign.
Football head coach Michael Faulds and defensive lineman Matt Caruso.
“I like to remind the team that we are lucky to be healthy and able to compete in a sport we love,” says Faulds. “Not everyone is as fortunate, so giving back by giving blood feels like a good way to help those experiencing a health-related issue.”
Scotto’s upcoming 60th donation puts him in the ranks of other generous blood donors within ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ Athletics and Recreation, including communications coordinator Dan Polischuk and game day operations coordinator Ted Collins, with more than 50 and 70 donations, respectively.
·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ joined Canadian Blood Services’ Partners for Life program in 2010. To date, ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ blood donors have contributed more than 5,000 donations. Eligible donors are invited to and make a life-saving blood donation this summer.
