JASON COLERO
Toronto Argonauts Manager, Community Relations
Jason Colero started as a water boy and now, 26 years later, he’s the heart and soul of Argos’ community outreach programs. The friendly and energetic Manager of Community Relations now educates youth through a myriad of programs he leads throughout the GTA.
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TORONTO — It was 2003 and here in Argo-land the franchise was in turmoil. I couldn’t believe that after nearly 20 years I faced becoming unemployed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the only thing my family was dealing with that summer.
My mother had been through treatment for her bout with breast cancer and it appeared as though she was in remission. Then in September, my wife’s sister-in-law lost her battle with breast cancer at a young age. She left behind a husband and 2-year old daughter. It was devastating news and my situation with the club was last thing on my mind.
In November we were playoff bound; off to Montreal for the East Final. I was there as the mascot and very excited because it was a Cinderella story in the making. Our dreams were demolished as a last second fumble was not called and the Als were headed to the Grey Cup, instead of us.
Just before I boarded the train home, I made a phone call home and heard something that made the loss on the field miniscule compared to what my family would deal with for the remainder of the off-season. While I was away, my mom was rushed to the hospital and my mom’s cancer was back. Worse, it had spread and things didn’t look optimistic. I tried to be strong on the 5 ½ hour train ride home. I was also asked to work at the Grey Cup in Regina that year, assisting the CFL.
My mom insisted I go because the Argos and the CFL meant as much to her as they did to me. My sister and I shared moments with my mom, taking her to her treatments since my dad had passed away four years earlier. All the while I was going through this I knew just how caring the organization was when they said that they understood and if I needed to be with her to take as much time as needed. I continued to run the Huddle-Up Bullying Prevention program and, in April 1, 2004, my mom lost her battle.
I know that I share a similar story with many people out there. There are thousands of people who lose their battle everyday but its fundraisers and causes such as the Think Pink Game that raise awareness and funds for research. I can understand what Taylor Robertson, Wes Lysack and Kevin Huntley went through when someone close to them was diagnosed and, for Taylor and Wes, lost their battle.
Thank you to all the fans that came out on Friday night and wore pink to support the survivors, to honour those who have left us and to offer hope to those that are in the fight of their lives. Understand that Friday’s game was not only about a battle on a field.
Make your passion your Life
– Jason