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Rob Ford Dead At 46: Former Toronto Mayor Dies After Cancer Battle

By Bradley Ryder
Published on: 03:36 PST, Mar 22, 2016

https://rumble.com/embed/vc76m/

Multiple sources are reporting the death of Rob Ford. The Toronto, Canada, mayor died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. Ford was 46-years-old, according to Fox News.

Ford’s family reported the death of the former mayor in a prepared statement. The troubled city leader was described as a “dedicated man of the people” who “spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.”

“With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46.

“A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto.

“The family asks that you respect their privacy and join them in their grieving and their prayers.

“The family will not be making any statements to the media or taking any questions. Information will follow at a later time regarding memorial services.

“Over his decade and a half in municipal politics, Ford won a devoted following for being a straight talker who championed the average taxpayer.”

Rob Ford’s cause of death is said to be from an aggressive and rare form of cancer. Doctors made the diagnosis of pleomorphic liposarcoma during Ford’s bid for re-election in 2014. Surgeons at Mount Sinai Hospital operated on Ford as a last-ditch strategy to help him either beat the disease or survive beyond the 5-year expected prognosis. He fought the malignancy for 18 months.

Doctors hailed the surgery as a “success” after the primary tumor was removed last year. However, a short time later, more were found in his body. Ford underwent more rounds of chemotherapy, which sidelined him from his official duties as mayor.

Weeks before Robert Bruce Ford died, he took part in a cancer treatment clinical trial. Doctors were trying to personalize a treatment plan for Ford instead of treating him with conventional protocol and drugs.

The goal in the treatment plan was to implant cancerous tumors inside a mouse and then conducting tests with different pharmaceutical drugs. This particular intervention is designed to create an exact mix of medication to provide the best and most targeted treatment.

However, Ford’s health took a turn for the worst recently, and the results from the trial would take months. Family members set up a website for supporters and well-wishers to leave messages to support the stricken politician.

Although polls suggested his chances were good, Ford gave up his election bid for Toronto’s mayor after being diagnosed with cancer in Septemeber of 2014. After his first surgery, Ford appeared before the media. Then, he was optimistic and upbeat about his recovery chances from his cancer fight.

“I’m just lucky to be alive today, and I’m just lucky to get another chance at life… At least, I have a chance.”

As a former business person and councillor, Rob Ford was known for being plain-spoken — always with an eye out for ordinary citizens.

However, over the years, his legacy has been dogged by allegations and arrests for substance abuse. He also began showing off belligerence in the public. In 2013, Ford was allegedly snapped smoking crack cocaine at an event. He later confessed to smoking the illegal narcotic. As a consequence, city lawmakers stripped him of his mayoral duties.

In 2014, Ford addressed his problems head-on. He also appealed to the public for forgiveness.

“People know that I saved a lot of money, and people are going to know that I had a few personal struggles,” he said.

“So you can remember it for what you want, but they’re definitely going to remember it.”

Ford was married and raised two children with his wife. His funeral services have not been announced.

[Photo by Aaron Vincent Elkaim/Getty Images]

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