Raising his voice

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This article was published 18/04/2016 (3775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Lyle Bauer was used to winning.

In his decade as a Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman, the 6-4 powerhouse helped his team capture three Grey Cup championships.

Later, as president and chief executive officer of the Bombers, Bauer’s innovative strategies off the field helped lift the CFL team out of its $5-million debt.

Bauer was also used to being the tough guy. So in 2004, when the former Canadian Football League player had a severe sore throat that lingered for weeks, he ignored it.

“I was never one to go to the doctor. I hated going to the doctor. And as a former professional athlete, you never wanted to show weakness or anything along those lines,” says Bauer, who finally ended up seeing his physician, who referred him to an ear, nose and throat specialist.

After weeks of investigations, he received his diagnosis: stage 4 throat cancer in the form of a six-centimetre tumour.

It was hidden deep inside the base of his tongue — unseen and without symptoms until a severe sore throat developed and stuck around.

He wasn’t a typical candidate for oral cancer: he never smoked or chewed tobacco and he was physically fit.

Bauer, 46 at the time, was shocked.

“But once it happens, it puts you in a whole other mindset. And really, what you have to do is draw upon your past life experiences and really prepare for the battle of your life.”

Faced with his own mortality, winning or losing was no longer a game; it was life and death.

His first concern was his wife and children seeing him in pain.

“I don’t think my kids ever saw their father sort of that vulnerable. I mean I’ve always tried to be there strength-wise,” says Bauer, who has one daughter and two sons — Danni, 33, Brodie, 30, and Wesley, 27. He’s been married to his wife, Heidi, for 37 years.

Throughout his numerous cancer treatments and doctors appointments, he never asked questions about why he got the disease. He never researched his odds for survival.

“At that time, my thought was, ‘What difference does that make when what I need to focus on is what’s going to happen now?’” says Bauer.

After 28 gruelling radiation treatments, as well as chemotherapy, Bauer is now cancer-free.

The radiation left him with some damage to his tongue, throat, and voice box, which affects his speech slightly, but he’s grateful to be alive.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable being told that you’re in remission, but cancer is something that is all around us and you never know when something might happen,” he says.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, 4,400 Canadians will be diagnosed with oral-cavity cancer and 1,200 Canadians will die from it.

In 2006, shortly after he finished his cancer treatments, Bauer created the Never Alone Foundation.

To date, the organization has raised more than $1 million for various cancer programs. The foundation aims to make sure cancer patients know they have support.

Bauer is quick to point out that even though he started the foundation, it’s not his.

It belongs to “the cancer patients, supporters and volunteers.”

Bauer and the Never Alone Foundation have teamed up with the Manitoba Dental Association for a public oral-cancer screening day, Saturday at Polo Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the main level, near the mall entrance to the Bay.

Several Manitoba dentists will screen members of the public for oral cancer.

An oral surgeon will also be on hand in case patients need a more in-depth consultation and referrals to other specialists.

“A lot of times, their dentist is the first line of defence for any type of diagnosis,” says Bauer, noting his dentist diligently examines him during checkups to ensure no signs of cancer have returned to his mouth.

He says 100 to 120 people are screened each year at the annual event and about 10 are referred to specialists.

Two or three might get a cancer diagnosis, he says.

“So it really can save their life,” says Bauer.

The Never Alone Foundation has raised funds for organizations including CancerCare Manitoba, Canadian Cancer Society, Health Sciences Foundation, Riverview Health Centre Foundation and Camp Quality.

The foundation also helps fund restorative dental work for cancer patients.

“I enjoy every day. I’m thankful every day I have the chance to help people. It’s really gratifying,” says Bauer, who admits he is more spiritual since his cancer diagnosis.

He says he’s more concerned with what he will leave on Earth after he’s gone than what he can take from it now.

“You can’t take anything with you. That’s proven. But what you can do is make sure you did something. That’s what people are remembered for.”

 

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