Wilfrid Laurier University takes Partners for Life pledge to new heights with incredible local champion

Wilfrid Laurier University wrapped up another successful academic year of promoting the Partners for Life program in the Waterloo region by celebrating a very special milestone donation by a Golden Hawk. Not only was Dan Polischuk’s 50th blood donation in August celebrated by himself and the donor centre staff, it also garnered the attention of Global News and many of Don’s peers both at Laurier and in the local community. Dan works in the Athletics and Recreation department at Laurier, and his is just one of many stories that Laurier has celebrated since reinvigorating its partnership with Canadian Blood Services near the start of the pandemic. This is all thanks to a new champion stepping up with a natural passion for the cause. Rebecca Kieswetter, communications officer with External Relations, has sparked many to join Wilfrid Laurier University’s Partners for Life team through her strong advocacy for the partnership program in Waterloo region. Laurier increased its donation pledge in 2023 after surpassing an incredible 500 donations in 2022, more than any other partner group in the Waterloo region.

Rebecca has been able to take the Golden Hawks pledge to new heights by spreading the word internally through every outlet possible. She has also worked tirelessly to prompt re-engagement with the program through collaboration with several internal departments, most notably athletics. Several of the Laurier teams came together to donate blood last year, including the golf, football and hockey teams, with a very strong and encouraging social media presence. Groups from the university’s Graduate Students’ Association, its social media department and even the Special Constable Service have supported the partnership. The university “adopted” the KW donor centre during the holiday period last December and again during National Blood Donor Week this past June. Not only has Rebecca led Laurier to achieve many incredible milestones by pushing others to donate, even going on the national news and local radio to promote the cause, but she herself is also a regular donor who’s been known to share a few selfies as a way to get “bums in seats.”