Toronto, ON – One month ago, Daniel MacLeod was looking forward to new adventures including moving to British Columbia in the autumn to attend university.  On June 27, the 22-year-old was out with friends at a tavern.  He met a girl and decided to stay behind when his friends left.  Later, he began walking alone along Dundas St. W.  At approximately 2:30 a.m., he was approached by a man and a woman when an argument ensued and Daniel was hit on the head with a weapon.  He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.  As a result of the severe blow, he was in a coma for more than three weeks, relied on a machine for breathing, developed pneumonia, suffered several strokes and had to have portions of his skull removed to allow for swelling.

“Doctors have said it’s a miracle that he’s alive,” says Sonny Day, Daniel’s cousin.  “It’s been a really emotionally wrenching experience for the whole family.  They’ve pulled together and have been really amazed by the outpouring of support even from people they don’t know.  People from other countries who had never even met Dan have written to say how concerned they are.  It is really heartening.”

Daniel’s mother, Rose MacLeod, is a REALTOR® at Sutton Group – Old Mill Realty Inc.* in Toronto.  She thanks the community for its support.  In addition to best wishes from strangers, countless neighbours and friends have been dropping off food for the family and holding vigil at Daniel’s bedside.  Broker Ann Hannah is also moved by how many REALTORS® in her office have volunteered to help with Rose’s listings during this crisis.

On July 19, Dan was able to say his name although doctors cannot predict what level of permanent brain damage he may experience.  Out of this senseless crime with its uncertain prognosis, Rose and Sonny have one wish: do a good deed.  “Give that homeless person you’d normally walk past some money, call up a relative you haven’t spoken to in a long time and catch up, volunteer some of your time to a worthy cause, surprise a loved one by preparing a meal for them, do that thing you’ve always been dreaming about (do it!),” writes Sonny on www.justicefordan.ca.  “The best way to honour Dan and counteract the negativity his assailant has created is just to do something positive today that you wouldn’t otherwise have done.”

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 9,000 REALTORS® in over 200 offices nationwide.  To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com.  To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com.

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Sutton Group Realty Services Ltd. Contact:

Mandy Siu                        604-691-1610                stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – Old Mill Realty Inc.* Contact:

Ann Hannah                      416-234-2424                ahannah@sutton.com

Sonny Day                        416-875-2034                justicefordanielmacleod@gmail.com

*Independently owned and operated brokerage

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