Not alone: Flin Flon born actor-producer finds army of supporters online as he fights cancer

Even as he sits through chemo, Andrew Taylor is feeling the support of Flin Flon. 

Diagnosed with testicular cancer in November, the Flin Flon native is currently in week four of chemotherapy treatments in Saskatoon.

As soon as word spread that Taylor was battling cancer, friends and family from his hometown of Flin Flon and his current home of Saskatoon were asking how they could help. His sister set up a Go Fund Me page, and exceeded the goal of $5,000 in a matter of weeks.

“It’s quite overwhelming,” Taylor said. 

Taylor left Flin Flon to pursue a career in theatre, attending the University of Saskatchewan. He moved to Saskatoon shortly after graduation, where he started Two Unruly Gentlemen Theatre Company. 

Taylor has produced and directed a number of projects which have earned him acclaim and awards in the film industry. He has several projects in the queue and is anxious to get back to work. 

He is thankful for the ongoing support from friends and family throughout his treatment.

“I won’t be able to work for about two and a half months so this is a huge help. I’m very grateful for the support.”

Go Fund Me is an online donation site that allows friends and family from near and far to support Taylor in a tangible way.

Taylor was back in Flin Flon recently between treatment sessions and had the opportunity to connect with some of the people who have been supporting him, including his parents, John and Gaby Taylor, who live in the community. He hopes to be able to visit again soon, but as treatment continues the risk of infection rises and he said he’s becoming a bit of a homebody.

“I can’t be going out in the cold or out with friends when my white blood cells are low and [there is a] risk infection,” he explained. “I’m quite an energetic, restless person and hope I’ll be able to get back at it soon after treatment.”

The nine-week chemotherapy treatments are broken into three sessions. Taylor was in the middle of week four, or the first week of the second session, when he spoke to The Reminder. Chemotherapy is the preferred treatment for this type of cancer, and he is hopeful that the treatment will be successful.

“I’ll have a CT Scan at the end of the nine weeks and there is a 97 per cent chance of being cured and cancer free from that point,” he said.

Taylor has a positive attitude toward his treatment and his future.

“When I first discovered the lump I guess I always knew what it was, but it took a while to actually say the ‘C’ word,” he said. He said he has good days and bad days with the treatment but is optimistic that the end result will free him from cancer.

To support Taylor, visit his Go Fund Me webpage at www.gofundme.com/
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