Bisons Conley helps hockey friend

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

UFA Bison forward William Conley gave the greatest gift of all over the holiday season.
He was able to raise $1,100 towards cancer research and shaved his head on Christmas Day to help out his spring hockey buddy and current Calgary Northstar Shadee Merhi, who was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour on his shin.
“I knew that the Northstars shaved their heads and I didn’t know who it was for and it was pretty awesome that they did it. I read an article and realized it was a friend that I played spring hockey with,” said Conley. “I decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring it up to the guys on the team and asked if they wanted to give some money and show their support for Pediatric cancer.”
Conley was surprised at first that the Northstars did this for Merhi, but encouraged at the same time, to raise money for a cancer research.
“When I realized it was for him, I was shocked at first but it affected him. I thought about it a little more and thought it was awesome they had did it as a team and did it for him,” said Conley.
He was amazed at the funds that were pouring in from the hockey community and from family and friends.
“I brought it up to my team, my parents asked their friends and family, the teachers in my school. It wasn’t limited to just the team, it was pretty much all around,” said Conley.
There was a goal in mind that he was going to raise, but he exceeded it as the fundraising efforts continued.
“I started and maybe I will raise $300 just to show my support but it wouldn’t be too big and around the third day I cracked $600, then I cracked $1,000 at the German game,” said Conley. “That definitely was a shocker and I was so happy, and so thankful for everyone that helped out.”
Conley and Merhi will make a cheque presentation at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in the next few weeks and hang out with patients.
“Over exam break I’m going with Shadee to the Cancer centre and we’re going to donate it together,” said Conley. “We’ll go out there and I think it’s two hour thing that we’re going to do and we’ll probably go to the Children’s Hospital and talk to all the kids because they look up to anyone that’s a little bit older then them. I’ll be happy to go through it with him and I was honoured that he asked me to go with him.”
Merhi could not have been more proud to hear what his buddy did for him and cancer research.
“At first when I heard about, I didn’t know what to say. It was pretty big thing and amazing for him to do that,” said Merhi.
He has had to endure numerous surgeries but was still able to raise funds through the Northstars and many other supporters.
“I’d say around $3,000 just from the Northstars. There’s still money coming in from people I don’t even know, my mom’s relatives and everyone but I don’t know an exact number,” said Merhi.
He admits going through something like this wasn’t easy and the he couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support.
“I’m really happy that I can give back to all the people that did stuff for me such as the doctors and I feel really great about being able to support other people that are going through the same thing,” said Merhi.