Conestoga news

When the call for help went out, CSI President Roxy Stanciu never imagined just how well the community of Conestoga College would spring into action. "When we asked for partnership across the campus, we received very kind support and then November 27th Conestoga really showed up!" Stanciu commented as she reflected upon the events of the day. The "Help Dany Day" volunteers assembled at 7:00am to prepare for the two-hour blitz of the campus. By 7:45am it was obvious that people came prepared to support the cause. In turn, bright green "Help Dany Day" stickers popped up everywhere on campus as people proudly wore their support for Dany.

At 9:30am the action took to the street where eight teams competed pulling a fire truck. Each team raised support through pledges and over $6,000 for the campaign. Kitchener Firefighters participated, cheered and organized the event. "We wanted to do all we could do for Dany", fire fighter David Vaux commented.

By noon, there were few on campus who had not contributed, supported, encouraged and cheered the process along. Students, faculty, staff, volunteers and friends of Dany gathered in the Student Life Centre Atrium at noon hour to celebrate the day's accomplishment but more importantly, present Dany's Dad, Louis Mercado, with a cheque for $10,000. All Louis could say was "words cannot express our family's gratitude for the generosity of Conestoga". The amount quickly grew though as more donations and the pledge moneys from the truck pull were added. By the end of the day, over $18,500 was received with more donations arriving by the hour.

"Today was truly a day of great community partnership and spirit" commented Stanciu. "There was only one Conestoga today standing up for Dany. No departments, no students, faculty, staff or volunteers, just a community of people who stood together and cared for someone who needed help."

The goal to reach $200,000 still stands but with Conestoga's help, that total got a lot closer on November 27th. Conestoga Students Inc. recognize the fantastic participation and support of the whole College community. From Physical Resources to Academic Departments, from the Alumni Association to the volunteers, Help Dany Day was a significant event for all involved. As Stanciu reflected "we're looking forward to another day when Dany is back at school and we can have a party to celebrate".

Support can still be expressed financially by dropping off donations at the CSI office or at any TD Canada Trust. People are also encouraged to help further by joining the bone marrow registry. It's free and easy, just check out www.onematch.ca.

Conestoga Students Incorporated (CSI) is the student government and voice of over 7,000 full time students at Conestoga College. For more information contact CSI at (519) 748-5131 or www.conestogastudents.com.

From its humble early beginnings as a community college in 1967, Conestoga has risen to become one of Canada's premier polytechnic institutes. Conestoga offers advanced applied education, and research leading to the commercialization of innovation in southwestern Ontario. For the last nine straight years independent research has named Conestoga as the number one publicly funded college in Ontario. For more information contact Conestoga College at (519) 748-5220, www.conestogac.on.ca.

For more information about Dany Mercado: www.helpdany.com.

For more information about joining the Bone Marrow Registry: www.onematch.ca.