Toronto football player joins campaign to raise funds for blood cancers

From the battleground of a football field to the fight to eliminate a form of cancer that impacts more than 155,000 Canadians.

Toronto Argo’s player Henoc Muamba is sharing how a personal story of loss is inspiring a massive mission.

“My sister-in-law was terminally ill with leukemia,” Muamba said. “We want to secure a cure in order to be able to have people like Cecilia still around and not lose them prematurely like the way we lost my sister-in-law.”

The professional athlete is participating in the Man and Woman of the Year fundraiser, put on by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLS). It’s described as an intense 10-week philanthropic competition across Canada.

The aim is to raise critical funds for research and services, in support of those who have been impacted with blood cancers and their loved ones.

Muamba, along with his team, have big aspirations. 

“We’re just excited to raise as much funds as possible, our goal is to raise $150,000, hopefully we can eclipse that with the help of everyone,” he said. “The proceeds will go to making strides towards finding a cure, the proceeds will go towards the researchers who are tirelessly working for that goal. It’ll help those who have been affected as well as the families.”

According to LLS, a person is diagnosed with a blood cancer every 24 minutes.

Cecilia and Muamba have never met, but he says she and his great-aunt, who was recently diagnosed with myeloma, are the driving force behind his fundraiser.

“Every time we talk about Cecilia, it’s a reason or time to reflect and a time to analyze and adjust the way we live,” he said. “She’s impacted my life in ways that its hard to explain, because I never got to meet her.”

Last year’s campaign raised $1 million. This year’s fundraiser launched on March 24 and will run until June 2.