Former male athlete of the year and Falcon soccer star battling leukemia

Last year's Fanshawe Male Athlete of the Year Matt Szydlowski is battling for his life as he fights an aggressive form of leukemia while awaiting for a potential bone marrow transplant that could save his life.

Szydlowski was originally diagnosed with lymphoma in May of 2009. In December of 2009 he went into remission and was waiting for his next steps. Unfortunately the cancer returned in January 2010 in his bone marrow, and was reclassified as leukemia. Doctors have said that chemotherapy won't cure Szydlowski, but there is still hope that he can be cured with a bone marrow transplant.

Family and friends refuse to sit idly by, instead drumming up awareness and putting together a fundraising soccer game featuring the Western Ontario Soccer League all-stars playing the Fanshawe Falcon all-stars on April 11 at 5 p.m. at TD Waterhouse Stadium. The game is being billed as Matt's Miracle: A Champion's Game.

Organizers have already sold 1,300 tickets just through word of mouth and via a Facebook group called Maciek (Matt) Szydlowski's Miracle (Become a Bone Marrow Donor).

Among Szydlowski's many accomplishments on the soccer field include being named Ontario colleges rookie of the year and scoring leader for the Falcons. He also won a scoring title in the WOSL's Premier Division. He was Fanshawe's male athlete of the year in 2008-09, an OCAA west region all-star and most valuable player and won the OCAA's allacademic award.

Tickets are $5 and available by contacting Wojtek Szydlowski at 519-636-4169 or Roseann Pignanelli at 226-663-8092. Tickets will also be available at the gate and a 50/50 draw will also be held with all proceeds going to Maciek (Matt) Szydlowski's Miracle.

“Matt has endured this whole battle with admirable courage and has never lost his positive attitude, or let those around him doubt - even for a second - his ability to beat this disease,” wrote Wojtek Szydlowski, Matt's brother on Facebook.

“We know that Matt is loved by many, many people. He has had so much support over this past year. We are asking on Matt's behalf, for you to become a bone marrow donor. You could be a match for Matt and the person that could help him conquer this battle. Even if you are not a match for Matt, you may also help another person fighting a disease.”