Latest news with #PeterBaylis
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Mooseheads' singer faces difficult diagnosis
Mooseheads' singer faces difficult diagnosis The Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer Peter Baylis has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Halifax Mooseheads anthem singer grateful for support following brain cancer diagnosis.
Peter Baylis has done a lot in his life, but what many people may know him for now is his work as the Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer. 'I wish everybody could feel the way I feel at that moment,' said Baylis. Before he took on that role 15 years ago, Baylis fronted 'Steps Around the House' in the '80s and was a member of the 'Hopping Penguins' in the '90s. He was also closely involved in the Halifax restaurant scene. 'I can feel comfortable that I left my mark in Halifax through entertainment, through hospitality, and I'm proud of my city. I love my country, hence the singing of the anthems,' he said. The 62-year-old has now been forced to take on a new challenge. Last month, Baylis learned he had glioblastoma – a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. 'They took me in for a CT scan and saw this mass on my brain, something that the doctor said at that point, 'I wasn't expecting to have to come and tell you this.'' Before his diagnosis, his symptoms came on fairly quickly. 'I had a little bit of light-headedness at work, more so than, you know, we can all get a little dizzy once in a while,' he said. 'I was walking in circles fixing something and that merry-go-round effect came and wouldn't go away.' He said his eyesight changed to something referred to as 'kaleidoscope vision,' he had a persistent headache, and also fell that day, which was out of the ordinary. That's when he called his wife. 'My wife is a saint. She should be a saint. Having her beside me through this, the support and compassion, it's unbelievable,' he said. Baylis has been with his wife for more than 30 years and the two share a daughter, who is back home to support her dad. 'Slap in the head' Baylis is facing his diagnosis head-on, but it's been challenging. 'Shocking. Slap in the head, but when you're faced with that news, what can you do? You just have to accept. You have to accept it,' he said. While there's never a good time to be diagnosed with cancer, it could not have come at a worse time for Baylis. His life insurance expired just a month before he learned the news. 'Because of our age, my wife and I, it had to transfer over. The premiums were cost prohibitive based on our income, so we just couldn't do anything about it.' Despite that added challenge in an already difficult situation, Baylis is just thankful for how his family, friends and community are rallying around him. 'The support and feedback, I'm trying not to get choked up, the love and compassion that's coming my way is so valuable and not going unnoticed. I couldn't be more grateful,' said Baylis. Eyes on the ice When the Halifax Mooseheads hit the ice this fall at Scotiabank Centre, Baylis plans to be there singing the anthem as he has done for more than a decade. 'Peter is a part of our Mooseheads' family. We will be there to support him each step of the way on his challenge that lies ahead,' said Halifax Mooseheads' President Brian Urquhart in a statement to CTV News. 'He is one of the many people that helps make the Mooseheads' gameday and fan experience among the best in the CHL.' As Baylis prepares to begin treatment, he is staying positive. 'I'm seeing sunshine, blue sky, and my brother walking the dog in the neighbourhood, and I'm going, 'Hey man, you know what? This is joy.' So, I'm going to choose to embrace that instead of thinking about the heavy. This is what we got. We only have what we have right now,' said Baylis. He has started a GoFundMe to help with any costs while he's unable to work and undergoes treatment. Peter Baylis Peter Baylis is the Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer. (CTV Atlantic/Steph Tsicos) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Global News
06-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer battling brain cancer: ‘I drew this card'
A well-known Halifax musician says he's remaining upbeat despite a sudden cancer diagnosis. Peter Baylis has been the Halifax Mooseheads' anthem singer for more than a decade, and he's now hoping the community he's uplifted for years will help him in his new fight. 'Another door of your mind opens up when someone tells you, 'you have cancer,'' he said of his shocking diagnosis. Baylis, who is best known for his passionate renditions of the Canadian national anthem at Mooseheads' games, was diagnosed last month with a glioblastoma, an aggressive form or brain cancer. 'We are guaranteed nothing on this planet. Nothing at all,' he said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'If you look at it that way, metaphorically, and that deck of card is your life. I drew this card — you know, there it is.' Story continues below advertisement He says he's not letting this new obstacle take away his love for life. 'I will open my mind with a positive mindset that I'm going to grab this and I'm going to run through it with all my strength that I possibly can,' he said. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Baylis and his family, as he will be unable to work while undergoing chemotherapy. The team's president, Brian Urquhart, says Baylis is an integral part of the Halifax Mooseheads family and has brought a patriotic flair to the Scotiabank Centre for QMJHL games. 'Peter is a well-known anthem singer in junior hockey circles which is a little, it was not the norm, to be honest,' said Urquhart. 'It's something that he should be very proud of and we're certainly proud of to have him as part of our family.' Baylis hopes to help others dealing with glioblastoma as he goes through his treatment process, and also dreams of returning to a stage sooner rather than later. 'Because I feel very, very at home and at ease in that particular moment because I'm so darn proud of what I'm doing,' he said.
