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Rob Ford Health Update: Former Toronto Mayor Reportedly In Grave Condition, Fighting For His Life After Chemotherapy Fails

By Nathan Francis
Published on: 08:14 PST, Mar 18, 2016

Rob Ford got a grim medical update on Friday, with the former Toronto mayor reportedly falling into grave condition after chemotherapy for his bladder cancer failed.

Ford is in failing health, with news outlets reporting that he is fighting for his life after doctors deemed him too unhealthy to continue treatment.

Rumors had actually spread on Thursday that Ford had died, but a spokesman released a statement that the former mayor was still in a hospital with family members by his side.

“With his family beside him, Coun. Ford is currently in hospital as he continues his battle against cancer,” Ford’s executive assistant Dan Jacobs said in a statement emailed to reporters late Thursday afternoon (via CTV News Toronto).

“The Ford family asks for privacy during this difficult time, and thanks the people of Toronto and around the world for their ongoing prayers and support.”

Ford is now a city councilman, but was best known for his controversial tenure as mayor of Canada’s largest city. He was connected to a number of scandals, including video allegedly showing him smoking crack.

Rob Ford has been undergoing treatment for his aggressive form of cancer, and has been in Mt. Sinai Hospital since late February, and this week was listed in grave condition.

As his health reportedly wanes, Rob Ford has received positive messages from supporters across Canada, including even his political opponents.

“Sometimes even just grievances, along with old battles, should be set aside,” Coun. Josh Matlow tweeted. “I wish Rob Ford & his family my love, best wishes & strength.”

John Tory, Toronto’s current mayor who clashed with Ford in the 2014 campaign, said on Friday that his thoughts were with Ford and his family.

Toronto Coun. Joe Cressy, who also came into conflict with Ford, also shared his best wishes in an interview with the CBC.

“The man has been a fighter his whole life and you put politics aside and you want to see him back on the floor of council,” Cressy said.

“I’m hoping to see him soon and I’m encouraging all Torontonians to wish him well, as you would for anybody.”

Many are sticking up for Rob Ford and his political legacy, including Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti who said Ford “truly loves the people of Toronto and never shied away from his responsibilities even while being the target of the biggest smear campaign the world has ever seen.”

“I hope that everyone who made his time a living hell while he was mayor will respect his family’s wishes for privacy now and leave it to the family to make updates public as they deem appropriate,” Mammoliti told CP24.

Rob Ford was diagnosed with cancer in September 2014, forcing him to withdraw from his campaign to be re-elected as Toronto’s mayor. He still ran for a seat on the Toronto city council, winning in a large victory.

Though controversial, Ford has strong support among many Toronto residents and was able to withstand his many scandals including a 2014 admission that he smoked crack during a self-described “drunken stupor.”

Rob Ford reportedly has a very difficult fight ahead. His chief of staff told 680 News that Ford’s tumors were not responding to chemotherapy, and that he needs to be healthier to continue treatment.

[Picture by Aaron Vincent Elkaim/Getty Images]

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