Abbey’s fight on and off the court
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Abbey believes in showing up. For her team, her community, and for herself.
At 22 years old, she should have been focused on finishing her final year of college: graduating alongside friends, competing with her volleyball team, and planning her next chapter. Instead, one unexpected moment with friends changed everything.
“I was spending time with friends,” she remembers. “They pointed out this lump on my throat, and I was surprised that I had never noticed it before.” She decided to get it checked out.
“My doctor ordered an ultrasound, and when those results came back, it was clear that something wasn’t right.”
Abbey was referred to Niagara Health physician Dr. Robichaud, who performed the biopsy. The procedure confirmed her worst fears. “They found cancer in my thyroid.”
“When I was told by my doctor that it was cancer, I was scared, of course. Cancer is a scary word to hear. I was worried about volleyball as well because it is such a big part of my life. Everything was unknown at that point.”
Abbey was scheduled for surgery, and her thyroid and two cancerous lymph nodes were removed in December.
“The healthcare workers were amazing. They were so helpful and answered all the questions I had. They were right by my side.”
When her Niagara College Knights volleyball team first heard about Abbey’s diagnosis, they knew they wanted to help. They set up a meal train for her weeks of recovery and sent her gift cards.
“The support from my team has been incredible. After the surgery, they reached out to me and told me that they would like to put on a fundraiser for the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC).”
As soon as the idea was born, her coaches, teammates, and Niagara College staff came together to put on the “Thumbs Down to Cancer” fundraiser, held at the first game of the year on January 10th, 2026.
“They sold tickets for the game, put on a raffle and sold items such as stickers and bracelets. It was amazing.”
The event raised over $5500, and when the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association heard about the event and Abbey’s diagnosis, they, too, started fundraising and added another $2000 to the fundraising total. 
“I was cleared to play just in time for the event, which made the game extra special for me.”
Keeping the money raised in her community was important to Abbey.
“Cancer affects many, many people every single day. It has impacted my mom, my family, and me. Cancer is one of the worst things in the world, so if donating to the WFCC can make things even just a little better for patients here in our community, then it is something we need to do.”
Niagara Health Foundation President & CEO, Andrea Scott, is grateful for this significant donation in support of local cancer care.
“Abbey’s coaches and teammates not only showed up for one of their own, but they showed up for every person battling cancer here in our region.”
Today, Abbey continues to recover from her surgery and has bloodwork done regularly to ensure the cancer hasn’t spread. She is excited to return to the Knights as an Assistant Coach after graduation.
“Volleyball is everything to me, and I will do my best to stay positive. Things can change so quickly, and you have no control over that, but staying positive and taking care of myself are things I can control, so that is what I will focus on.”
Abbey’s fight on and off the court
Abbey believes in showing up. For her team, her community, and for herself.
At 22 years old, she should have been focused on finishing her final year of college: graduating alongside friends, competing with her volleyball team, and planning her next chapter. Instead, one unexpected moment with friends changed everything.
“I was spending time with friends,” she remembers. “They pointed out this lump on my throat, and I was surprised that I had never noticed it before.” She decided to get it checked out.
“My doctor ordered an ultrasound, and when those results came back, it was clear that something wasn’t right.”
Abbey was referred to Niagara Health physician Dr. Robichaud, who performed the biopsy. The procedure confirmed her worst fears. “They found cancer in my thyroid.”
“When I was told by my doctor that it was cancer, I was scared, of course. Cancer is a scary word to hear. I was worried about volleyball as well because it is such a big part of my life. Everything was unknown at that point.”
Abbey was scheduled for surgery, and her thyroid and two cancerous lymph nodes were removed in December.
“The healthcare workers were amazing. They were so helpful and answered all the questions I had. They were right by my side.”
When her Niagara College Knights volleyball team first heard about Abbey’s diagnosis, they knew they wanted to help. They set up a meal train for her weeks of recovery and sent her gift cards.
“The support from my team has been incredible. After the surgery, they reached out to me and told me that they would like to put on a fundraiser for the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC).”
As soon as the idea was born, her coaches, teammates, and Niagara College staff came together to put on the “Thumbs Down to Cancer” fundraiser, held at the first game of the year on January 10th, 2026.
“They sold tickets for the game, put on a raffle and sold items such as stickers and bracelets. It was amazing.”
The event raised over $5500, and when the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association heard about the event and Abbey’s diagnosis, they, too, started fundraising and added another $2000 to the fundraising total.
“I was cleared to play just in time for the event, which made the game extra special for me.”
Keeping the money raised in her community was important to Abbey.
“Cancer affects many, many people every single day. It has impacted my mom, my family, and me. Cancer is one of the worst things in the world, so if donating to the WFCC can make things even just a little better for patients here in our community, then it is something we need to do.”
Niagara Health Foundation President & CEO, Andrea Scott, is grateful for this significant donation in support of local cancer care.
“Abbey’s coaches and teammates not only showed up for one of their own, but they showed up for every person battling cancer here in our region.”
Today, Abbey continues to recover from her surgery and has bloodwork done regularly to ensure the cancer hasn’t spread. She is excited to return to the Knights as an Assistant Coach after graduation.
“Volleyball is everything to me, and I will do my best to stay positive. Things can change so quickly, and you have no control over that, but staying positive and taking care of myself are things I can control, so that is what I will focus on.”
