Steve Townsend has been a lifelong Ti-Cats fan who has only ever missed four home games — but this Sunday will be his last.
The 49-year-old has suffered from the day he was born, undergoing 111 surgeries to treat a rare congenital disability known as spina bifida and another condition known as hydrocephalus.
Despite it all, he’s always been a fighter. Football is his favourite pastime, and it takes his mind off things.
But Sunday’s match between the Ti-Cats and the BC Lions will be his last. A massive brain tumour has forced Townsend to make a difficult decision.
“They’re saying they can do a ten-and-a-half-hour surgery, but I may bleed out on the table,” he said. “I said I can’t do this anymore.”
The lifelong Ti-Cats fan will be receiving medical assistance in dying on July 16.
“It was an easy decision. I’m not able to go to the football games anymore, so that has basically given me nothing to look forward to anymore.”
Steve and his mother, Barb, fled an abusive relationship, and while she says she understands why her son is doing this, it doesn’t make it any easier.
“I have my days. As that day gets closer, it’s getting harder, but that’s being selfish on my part,” Barb said.
For the next week and a half, the two will cherish the memories and friendships they’ve made with former players.
“Now that I know it’s getting close, I’m more at peace,” Townsend said. “Reconnecting with players, I’m having to console them because they’re really upset.”
“I’ve got friends on every team in the league. Except the Argos.”