Rob Ford, whose term as Toronto mayor was riddled with scandals, has died at the age of 46 following 18 months of treatment for pleomorphic liposarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. Doctors diagnosed the cancer in 2014 while he was running his reelection campaign for city mayor. According to The Toronto Star, a statement from the family called him a “dedicated man of the people” who “spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.” The statement also reads that the family won’t be talking to the media or answering any questions.
Rob Ford dies while undergoing treatment for cancer
Ford had surgery in May 2015 at Mount Sinai Hospital, and at that point the surgery was considered to be his last opportunity to survive the rare and deadly form of cancer. Although doctors considered the surgery a success, two months later, they discovered two more tumors. He then underwent numerous chemotherapy treatments which kept him away from city hall and the council chamber. He appeared relieved after those treatments when he told the media that they were found to have shrunk the tumor to a size small enough size for it to be operated on.
More recently, Rob Ford began participating in a clinical trial with a goal of discovering a more personalized way to treat his pleomorphic liposarcoma. However, the process takes four months to complete and begins with implanting a tumor into mice and then testing various drug combinations.
Rob Ford’s battle ends years of conflicts and success
The former Toronto mayor ended his reelection bid in September 2014 following the cancer diagnosis even though polls suggested that he might win. His time in office was plagued by various controversies, however, like his use of Toronto City staff members to coach high school football. He also reportedly called the police on a comedian who was at his house, and a judge ordered that he be thrown out of office due to a conflict of interest, although he remained mayor thanks to a technicality.
Rob Ford was also known for making many racist and sexist comments and was reportedly intoxicated when he attended a military ball. Also a video shot on a cellphone appeared to show him smoking crack cocaine. However, he also had some political wins, as he spearheaded the effort to repeal the much-loathed vehicle registration tax, outsourced trash collection in the western part of Toronto, and helped the city avoid a worker strike.
