In the spirit of transparency and advocacy, I have an important personal update that I would like to share.

On February 16, 2022, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Following the guidance of our team physician, I sought immediate treatment at Rockyview General Hospital. Within forty-eight hours I had been admitted, undergone a radical inguinal orchiectomy, and was discharged to recover at home. Thankfully, all initial testing indicates that the cancer was caught early and was contained. For that, I am beyond fortunate.

While I am incredibly grateful to have received treatment so quickly, the pace of this journey has brought its own challenges. It has been and will continue to be an emotional whirlwind and the continued respect of my privacy is greatly appreciated. I have already started my rehabilitation program to recover from surgery and will continue to work closely with our medical team to be back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Testicular cancer is one of the most common and treatable forms of cancer among men aged 15-35, but early detection is key. If something seems unusual, get it checked.

I would like to add that the speed at which this process occurred is not typical for men that receive this diagnosis. Testicular cancer is one of the most common and treatable forms of cancer among men aged 15-35, but early detection is key. If something seems unusual, get it checked. The potential awkwardness of that visit with your doctor is worth it – it certainly was for me.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the many people who continue to help me navigate this experience. To the staff at Rockyview General Hospital – in the emergency room, in Unit 82, and in the operating room – thank you for what you do. To my coaching staff and teammates, your support has been overwhelming. To our entire medical team and our team physician, Dr. Robinson, thank you for making me feel like the centre of the universe when I needed it most. You will all say that you were just doing your job, but it will always be much more than that to me. Finally, to my family and friends, I am one lucky person to be surrounded by so much love and care.

Thank you,
Marco