Damon Sky Taylor - Brain Cancer Journey

Beloved son, husband, father, nephew, cousin, friend & colleague - Damon was diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer (Glioblastoma) towards the end of 2021. As a fitness trainer and gym owner, the news was both devastating and unimaginable. He was a healthy 52-year-old in the prime of his life, looking forward to a brightening future while getting his everyday living and business back on track after COVID had wreaked havoc for almost two years.

Although the odds were not favorable, and he was told the treatment would only control the cancer and possibly extend his life, Damon still remained hopeful and wanted to fight. He underwent an aggressive six weeks of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy, with steroids, and other medications to help prevent side effects. After his allotment of targeted radiation was used up in November/December, Damon began a five-day per month chemo regime at home with regular MRI scans to monitor the tumor status. However following his second ongoing monthly dosage, in late February/early March a series of terrible falls put him back in the acute ward of the hospital with swelling in his brain. There he underwent a shunt procedure to relieve the pressure and began additional medications to address hydrocephalus and weakened mobility.

After some improvement, Damon was moved from the acute ward of the hospital to a reactivation center where he could receive greater physio and cognitive therapy. Since he needed 24 hour critical care, it was thought the center could provide increased attention to his needs and help rebuild his strength, eventually restoring some of his independence. His chemo treatment was postponed so his body and brain could heal from the hydrocephalus with the strategy that treatment could continue shortly and the search resume for any emerging therapies or clinical trials.

Damon's stay at the reactivation center can only be for a limited amount of time so we are looking to either set up adequate home care or find a care facility that can work with his needs. Provincial medical quickly maxes out and extended medical isn't currently available. The expenses are horrendous - with home care running between $5k-$10k per month for 2 shifts per day and care facility basic costs ranging upwards of $2.5k per month. Any alternative therapies, integrative treatments or drugs/supplements outside standard chemo are not included. Temozolomide is the only drug covered and the last hope drug Avastin, if he qualifies, is only 50% covered in Ontario. Even meals are a huge challenge, trying to provide foods nutritionally beneficial so he can stay with the clean, low glucose diet his body was accustomed to as a trainer and would help starve the cancer.

While his exact prognosis is unclear, statistics show the average survival length is 12-18 months with only 25% of patients surviving more than one year and only 5% surviving more than five years. Glioblastoma treatments and clinical trials in Canada are extremely limited so the search began for treatments in the US but the costs - between $150k-$175k CDN for testing, creation of a treatment plan, flights, accommodations and general living expenses - would be impossible without fundraising. And before any alternative treatments can be embarked upon, we first need to get Damon strong again and mobile.

His large extended family and many friendships forged while living in Canada and California have provided the foundation to give Damon the courage needed to carry on each day. Throughout his life starting with athletics, into creative endeavors in music and acting and finally onto personal training, he felt incredibly fortunate to do the things he loved along with the people who loved him. With his infectious smile and good natured teasing, he has brought laughter and joy to those around him teaching others to be creatively stimulated, physically fit and grateful for life's blessings. Now he needs help - please donate so he may live to fight longer with hope and dignity.