Taylor, X-Men football continue to tackle cancer

Courtesy Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH – Being a member of the STFX X-Men football program is about much more than X's and O's; touchdowns and interceptions. It is a family – one in which its members are always there for each other.

"It's not just about the game; it is about a sense of family," third-year receiver Sam Taylor said in a recent interview.

The native of Milton, Ontario learned that lesson before he arrived in Antigonish and stepped on the STFX campus.

"Everyone has been amazing," the third-year Bachelor of Arts student – majoring in history, and with an eye towards earning an education degree – added.

Five days after receiving word of his admission to STFX – not to mention an offer from Head Coach Gary Waterman to join the X-Men – Taylor's life took a 180-degree turn; the highest of highs quickly and shockingly became the lowest of lows.

On Jan. 10, 2022, the then 18-year-old high school senior received a cancer diagnosis – Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma.

"It was like my world stopped," Taylor remembered.

After surgeons removed lumps from his chest and neck – the latter one the reason he visited his family doctor – Taylor started chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Coupled with his cancer treatment and recovery, he had to diligently protect himself from infection because of his compromised immune system. That health concern was heightened by the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

Once soft tissue damage to his neck and chest had healed suitably – and with word that his cancer was in remission – the young athlete eyed fulfilling his goal of donning the White and Blue. In the fall of 2022, Taylor hit the books – and the gym – as a STFX freshmen with the football program. On the horizon, all the while, his goal to don the White and Blue with his band of brothers.

That dream came true late last summer at STFX Stadium in a pre-season game versus the Mount Allison Mounties. Hitting the field on home turf with his teammates – a moment he will never forget.

Along with juggling athletics and academics, Taylor continued a commitment that he and his family made to helping others fighting the disease by raising awareness and funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC).

LLSC is the largest registered charitable health agency dedicated to supporting the Canadian blood cancer community, and aims to improve the quality of life of people affected by blood cancers and their families by funding life-enhancing research and providing educational resources, services and support.

"They are there to help out in any way that they can," Taylor said, explaining that the national organization not only funds research, but also provides assistance – financial and otherwise – to those with the disease, and others in that person's circle.

He added, "I know what it is like – the struggle that people can face; it affects everyone – not only the person [with cancer], but also their family, friends and caregivers."

Not surprisingly, Taylor's X-Men football family joined him in that fight by launching the X-Men Football Tackles Cancer initiative. Last fall, the program supported their teammate by partnering in the inaugural staging of a Light the Night fundraiser – a walk focused on bringing the community together while raising awareness and funds for LLSC – at STFX Stadium.

"It went really well," Taylor recalled of the inaugural event in 2023, describing the turnout – from both the STFX and broader Antigonish communities – as "amazing."

Proceeds exceeded $8,000, which shattered the fundraising target of $5,000.

Noting that Light the Night is usually staged in "major cities," Taylor said LLSC officials are pleased with his effort to bring the celebration to rural Nova Scotia.

"They are super happy," he added of the Halifax organization's feedback on the STFX event.

Along with the monies, Taylor stressed the importance of raising awareness.

Noting he knew little about the organization before his cancer diagnosis, he said, "I want to change the narrative."

The second X-Men Football Tackles Cancer LLSC Light the Night is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m.

To learn more about X-Men Football Tackles Cancer or to donate directly to LLSC, visit www.goxgo.ca/xmentacklecancer. 

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