At only 40, Jean-Michel Sylvain was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, known as osteosarcoma.
He is currently in the hospital battling the fight of his life.
Sylvain is a married father of two young children. His name is well-known in the Halifax area because of his football days.
Sylvain played football while attending Saint Mary’s University, where he was named the Outstanding Lineman of the Year in 2001. That’s also the same year the Huskies took home the Vanier Cup.
On Sunday, some of Sylvain’s family, friends and former teammates got together at his Halifax home to help their friend out.
“Today the goal is to sort of spruce up my sister’s home. I’m her brother and we live next door, so we’ve been supporting them throughout this whole journey,” said Patrick Leach, Sylvain’s brother-in-law.
“It’s been very difficult obviously, but all the support and everything from our friends, family and community has been very appreciated and it’s made it a bit easier.”
More than a dozen former football players gave their time to help do things around the Sylvain home that typically Jean-Michel would take care of, but currently isn’t able to.
The men gardened, painted the front deck, raked leaves and trimmed trees in the backyard of the family home.
“I think the reason so many people are coming together shows Jean-Michel’s character,” said Leach.
Most of the former players still live in the Halifax area, but some have come from away to see Sylvain.
Blake Nill, the head coach for the University of British Columbia football team came from an event Montreal to help out.
He was the coach of the Saint Mary’s Huskies when Sylvain played.
“I felt it was important for me to come down and I wanted to see Jean,” Nill told Global News. “These are all former players of mine, so I thought I would show up and lend a helping hand.”
Nill says football is unlike any other varsity sport and has really installed a sense of teamwork in the men.
“These young men here, they were part of a very special time, probably in Maritime history with the 2001 championship team, which Jean was part of and you can see what that means. They are out here on a Sunday morning, they each have their own priorities in life but one of their priorities remains their team and that’s great to see.”
Several groups, including the Bedford Cheetahs football team have organized benefits to help Sylvain and his wife, Trilby.
Family members are also working to raise some much-needed funds for the Sylvain family.
There are currently two fundraisers happening. The first, set up by family members, is a trust fund for Sylvain’s young children, Caila and Kaelen. Those interested in donating can click here.
The other, is set up by members of Sylvain’s Halifax community. They are hoping to raise enough money to help the family take a Disney cruise when they are able to. An account has been set up with Maritime Travel. Those interested in donating can click here.
“This is such a close knit community, even this cul-du-sac. We’ve all kind of raised our kids together and we can all feel for the family and what they’re going through,” said Paula MacPherson, who is helping out with the fundraising efforts.
“I think we can each appreciate if we were in this situation what the community support would be, so we’re trying to give back.”
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