Ont. man given months to live beats the odds, hopes to inspire others with his music
Three-time cancer survivor Tymaz Bagbani beat the odds and now hopes to inspire others, sharing his near-death leukemia journey through his music.
The 23-year-old East Gwillimbury, Ont., man, a former CTV Athlete of the Week, said he wants to use his rap music to help others facing challenges know they can overcome anything if they believe it's possible.
"With my music, I try to always have a specific message, a positive message," Bagbani said. "I would say tough times don't last; tough people do."
Bagbani is working on his debut album Chosen, which he plans to release early in 2022.
He released songs online, including Dive Deep and Hold On Pain Ends, which tell the story of his battles with cancer - the disease that ended his dreams of playing professional soccer in Europe.
BAGBANI'S CANCER BATTLE
Bagbani was diagnosed with leukemia twice before his 14th birthday. Following treatment and a bone marrow transplant, he thought he was healthy enough to chase his soccer dreams.
At 15, while trying out for professional soccer teams in Spain, Bagbani fell ill again.
"It was just a tough blow because I was a soccer player my whole life, and that's all I ever wanted to do," he recalled
This time, doctors told him he would be confined to a bed and a wheelchair.
"I beat it and then actually relapsed again for the third time after that, and I was given six months to live," he said even that diagnosis couldn't stop his determination.
"Just keep that positive mind-frame and know that your situation right now is not forever and look at what is in the future and it will come to you," he said before taking his morning medication in his home on Monday.
"Basically, the thing that cured my cancer is the thing that took away everything else. This was my second bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow is from somebody else's body, so your body doesn't recognize it, and it starts to go to war with itself," he explained.
"The hope and the drive to push on and know that I can be great and was put here for a reason and that I have a purpose, and that's my music," he said.
A MOTHER'S DETERMINATION
In 2011, his mother appeared on CTV News appealing for help in securing a bone marrow match for her son.
"Tymaz loves life and never gave up," said Elham Badali. "He survived three times."
Bagbani's mother explained how her son was in the intensive care unit on three occasions and how he was given a grim prognosis, and still, she encouraged him to fight.
"You need to be a warrior, as your name is," she recalled telling her son. "You will make it. You have made it. You're here for a reason." Badali said she and Tymaz "were not giving up."
Crippled by cancer, Bagbani fought on and sought further treatment.
After another transplant, he was in remission, but he found himself unable to walk again.
With help from his mother, Bagbani underwent another surgery, which brought strength back to his legs.
He learned to walk again and wants to continue coaching kids soccer in Newmarket.
Bagbani's love for the game is the strongest it's been in years.
Having found a new purpose in life, the young man is living up to his name.
Tymaz Bagbani remains undefeated against cancer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.