About My Campaign
In March 2023, my world changed forever. My dad, Steven Jelich, passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest at just 55 years old. He was healthy, happy, and full of life. I was 19, and my parents and I were incredibly close, the three of us did everything together. My dad was one of my biggest supporters, my best friend, and the heart of our family.
Since losing him, my mom and I have learned what it means to keep moving forward, to find strength in small moments, to keep laughing through the tears, and to carry his love with us in everything we do, turning our loss into purpose.
After his passing, I helped launch the AED Student Awareness Team at Western, focused on making our campus safer and more heart-ready. Together, we ensured that all 52 AEDs on campus are monitored through Action First Aid’s system, registered every AED on PulsePoint - a free app that connects bystanders and emergency dispatchers to the nearest AED during a cardiac emergency, and trained hundreds of students through both World Restart a Heart Day and our event Heart2Heart: Saving Lives Together, which raised awareness, built skills, and donated all proceeds to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
But there’s still a major gap. All existing AEDs are indoors and locked after hours, yet cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. The only thing that can restart the heart is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - not CPR alone. For every minute without one, the chance of survival drops by 10%. After five minutes, the damage is often irreversible.
That’s why I’m starting my own personal project: to install Western’s first outdoor SaveStation AED right in front of the University Community Centre (UCC), the busiest area on campus, where thousands pass each day.
A SaveStation is a weather-protected, monitored AED cabinet accessible 24/7. It ensures that life-saving equipment is available at all times - not just for students, but also for faculty, staff, visitors, and the entire London community.
This SaveStation will be dedicated to my dad - not just in memory of him, but as a way for his story to make a difference and continue saving lives. It will also serve as a message to Western: that we can lead by example, that accessibility matters, and that heart safety should never be limited by time or location.
My goal is to have this SaveStation installed and operational by March 31, 2026, on the anniversary of my dad’s passing. If we reach our fundraising goal, I’ll also be running my first full marathon next fall - as a thank you to everyone who helps make this possible.
This project means everything to me. I hope it sparks a conversation at Western - and beyond - about what it truly means to be prepared.
Every dollar brings us closer to a campus ready to save a life, and a legacy that keeps beating in my dad’s name. ❤️
- Danijela Jelich
My Updates
THANK YOU!!!
I am absolutely overwhelmed and beyond thankful for the love, support, and generosity that has poured in over the past day. I’ve been smiling nonstop, truly beaming ever since seeing the total.
The fact that we were able to reach (and surpass!) the target goal in less than 24 hours is unbelievable. I started this campaign early, thinking it might take until next year to reach the goal, and now I’m sitting here just feeling so grateful and amazed.
When I take a moment to reflect on why I’m doing this, I feel a mix of emotions - happy to see change happening, but sad that it had to begin with losing my Dad, my Tata. Still, I know he’s proud from above and smiling, seeing how much good is coming from this.
As you can see, we’ve surpassed our goal! With the additional funds, I’m hoping to purchase a second AED - a basic, indoor wall-mounted unit, also in honour of my dad. My major is in Biology, so my goal is to have it placed in the Natural Science Building, near Taylor Library, another busy area where students study and gather daily.
I’ll continue to keep everyone updated in the new year as we plan the unveiling of the SaveStation and hopefully, the installation of this second AED.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my family, friends, friends of friends, and everyone in this amazing community who supported and shared this project. Your kindness and encouragement mean more than words.
God bless you all, and thank you for helping me keep my Tata's (Dad's) memory alive in the most meaningful way. ❤️
- Danijela Jelich
Thank you to my Sponsors
$200
Tom & Mimi Dobrich
$100
Melissa Grmusa
$100
Jessica Irwin
Good luck!!! I know you will accomplish your goal.
$100
Kristina Elez
$100
Jules Rapaich
What a beautiful tribute to your father, he was a great man! As someone who just lost my own father in the last week, this really hit a soft spot in my heart. Sending you and your beautiful mom so much love and continued strength ❤️
$300
Denis And Andrea Supic
$25
Samantha Newton
$100
Ranko And Gordana Grmusa
Živila!
$50
Teja Zelenovic
$500
Milan, Deanna, Mileja Sarapa
Steve🧡
$100
Milica Cvetkovic
$50
Ana Joksic
❤️
$1,000
Jelena Jelich
$100
Anonymous
$500
Dmitar & Milica Sarapa
$50
Mark Vukanovich
❤️
$100
Gordana Todorovic- Cvetkovic
$300
Danny, Bobana, And Aleksa Babic
❤️
$100
Milos & Dara Gidak
We’re soooo proud of you Danijela. Just found out about this and I’m glad we did it ❤️
$1,000
Andrew, Mara, And Ana Jelich
This is a meaningful tribute! Thanks Danijela!
$200
Aleksa & Jenn Zubić
His spirit lives on in you Danijela! The world is a better (and soon, safer) place with you in it and we’re proud to know you :) keep up the great work!
$50
Alexandra Mirkovic
$50
Vuk Zubic
$250
Petar & Natasa Chuk
$50
Sura Haweel
$100
Petar And Maja
$100
Anonymous
$50
Marjanovic
$100
Zelenovic Family
$100
Veljko Spiric
$100
Kristina And Nikola Gacesa
$50
Lana Dimic
$100
Deb Hennig
Danijela - you are an inspiration to us all - I wish I had a chance to meet your Dad, but you are making him so proud.
$100
Matteo Sebastiano
$50
Angela Calamita
$10
Kaia Jovanovic
$400
Danilo, Filip, Mirko I Tanja
Proud of our little D and your hard work. Little D but big heart
$1,000
David, Mira, Mila Jelich
Love you sunce ♥️💪🏼
$25
Jana Galat
I’m so proud of you for doing this, sending you and your mom love.
$500
3ds
💕💕💕
$200
Tina Dukic
$50
Andrea Bagnarol
$200
Ljuba Stankovic
$250
Anonymous
$75
Sandra, Jordan & Luka Reyno
$100
Danijela Djurdjevic
$50
Cica I Nedjo Spremo
$100
Milan & Snezana Korac
$100
Rev. Dusko Markovic
May God bless all the work of your hands.
$100
Aleksandar & Geana Djurdjevic
$50
Mia Stankovich
$1,000
Adam, Selena And Julijana
We are so proud of you-Love you very much!
$50
Jovana Radic
$200
Kohli Family
You are amazing Danijela
$100
Dulan Fernando
$50
Bezarevic Family
What a lovely way to memorialize your father. May his memory be eternal.
$100
The Shannon Family
What a beautiful tribute to your father Danijela. He was a wonderful man. We’re so proud of you and we know that he is too.
$50
Anja Tomovic
❤️
$100
Jim & Odila Busi
$50
Izabela Tomovic
$25
Nikola Zagorac
$100
Ania & Ken Lisabeth
Amazing work, Danijela! Your dad would be so proud of you. He was truly one of a kind, and his memory will live on forever.
$250
Jelica&sasha Stevanov
$100
Matthew Gerardi
$100
Jason, Angie & Adam Lamarre
$50
Stefani Kišan
❤️
$200
Ljuban & Dobrila Stankovich
$20
Will Berecz
$100
Boro Špirić
$100
Jeremy Gerardi
$100
James Busi
$100
Danijela Jelich
$200
Soula Stankovich
$100
Rosemary Batanjski
so proud of you
$50
Alistair Lam
$200
Snezana And Nikola Zubic
$100
