Sam Taylor in remission after diagnosis, treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma

By Corey LeBlanc

ANTIGONISH – It may have only been a pre-season match-up between Atlantic University Sport (AUS) rivals – the STFX X-Men and Mount Allison Mounties – but to one of the student-athletes donning the White and Blue, it might as well have been the Super Bowl.

"I can't describe it," second-year receiver Sam Taylor of Milton, Ontario, said, when asked what he was thinking as he ran down the tunnel and onto the STFX Stadium turf with his teammates on that Saturday afternoon (Aug. 19).

He added, "It was kind of weird, and a little overwhelming, but it was an awesome experience."

Taylor having such a range of emotions is understandable, considering that moment came one year later than he expected; the delay caused by a blindside hit that he received off the field – one that threatened not only his athletic career, but also his life.

"I wasn't shocked – I didn't have a big reaction – because I knew that there was something wrong," the now 20-year-old remembered of the day his doctor delivered his Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis.

Nevertheless, he noted, the 'c' word wasn't something he thought he would hear.

And then, Taylor added, "I just wanted to get on with it, do what we had to do to get rid of it."

Five days after experiencing the highest of highs – signing his letter of intent to join the X-Men football program – came, to say the least, the lowest of lows with word of his health emergency.

After the lump on his neck was removed – the discovery that triggered his initial visit to the doctor – along with one on his chest, Taylor completed chemotherapy, which continued until mid-March, followed by radiation that wrapped up in mid-June of 2022.  

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without the love and support of my family and friends," he offered.

But, even with that positive result after those weeks of treatment, Taylor couldn't let his guard down; protecting his compromised immune system – amidst a still raging COVID-19 global pandemic – became his number one priority.

"It was all about staying safe," he remembered of donning a mask – a request he also made of those around him – and taking other precautions.

As he marked each day on the calendar – with the summer of 2022 fast approaching – Taylor was becoming increasingly antsy. Because of the soft tissue damage to his neck and chest, the young athlete couldn't workout. Finally, in July, he received the greenlight to resume training.

"They were super understanding and helped me get through it," he said of X-Men head coach Gary Waterman and offensive coordinator David Van Den Heuvel.

He credited them for making sure, "I didn't push myself too hard."

Taylor said his whole football family at STFX has been incredibly supportive.

"It has been awesome. They have been amazing. They are always there for you, and I have never been alone," he added.

After arriving in Antigonish late last summer for his freshman year, Taylor continued a modified workout schedule – as part of the training regime with his teammates – while also tackling his studies in the Bachelor of Arts program. With a plan to major in history, he wants to eventually earn his education degree.

With the health scare further in the rearview mirror, more than one-year since he received word of remission, he said, "I am feeling a whole lot better."

During the off-season and his time back home, Taylor has been able to regain muscle, while becoming "much stronger" over the summer. It has been an effort boosted by the ongoing recovery of his soft tissue. As he prepared to return to the east coast for his sophomore year – his focus could be placed more squarely on playing the sport, which he has loved since he was a young boy, at the university level.

"You can try so many different things on the field," Taylor said, when asked what appealed to him about football.

Not to mention the "thinking" required to be successful.

Taylor – a two-sport athlete until he started Grade 10 – decided to hang up his hockey skates and focus solely on football.

"I thought I had a better shot [with football] to play at a higher level," he explained of his decision.

And, to this day, Taylor enjoys the comradery and deep bonds formed as part of a football team.

"It's like a family," he said, noting how everyone goes to battle for each other in the "super physical" sport.

In that spirit, his brothers and sisters with the STFX football program have teamed up with Taylor and his family in an effort to raise money and awareness for those affected by blood cancers, with their support of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). With X-Men Football Tackles Cancer – including helping to get the word out about Taylor's effort through its social media channels and other outlets, the program is focused on helping their teammate tackle his goal to raise $5,000.

When it comes to launching a fundraising effort, the pass-catcher said he and his parents had discussed "giving back," finding a way to offer support to people and their families sharing the same experience.

This year, Taylor decided that he wanted to bring the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk, which funds research to find cures and ensure access to treatments for all blood cancer patients, to the STFX campus and Antigonish.

After his head coach and STFX Athletics greenlighted the idea – and offered unending support – Taylor has been leading the effort to organize the fundraiser, which is scheduling for Saturday, Oct. 21 at STFX Stadium.

"We want it to be a big community event," he said.

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

When asked to reflect on the past year or more – a roller coaster ride no one would want to take – Taylor described it as "quite an experience," while reiterating how crucial his family, friends and X-Men football family were to reaching a positive outcome.

"Now, I am just loving life and enjoying everything," he concluded.

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