When Jesse Marsch talks about cancer, the Canadian men’s national soccer team coach starts with the moment that changed everything for his family.
While coaching and living with his family in Austria Jesse’s wife, Kim, had a mammogram and it showed something suspicious. A biopsy followed.
“When you first hear the c word, your stomach drops,” Jesse says. “You think it won’t happen to you.”
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Breast cancer hits home for the Marsch family
The diagnosis was breast cancer, but it had been found early, was treatable and had not spread. Kim had a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation – all while travelling for Jesse’s coaching work.
“Before we really knew what the treatment schedule was going to be and what the options were going to be, there’s a lot of thoughts that run through your mind,” Jesse says. Early screening, Jesse emphasizes, made all the difference.
“We were shocked by her diagnosis. There’s no breast cancer in her family, and she’s incredibly healthy and active. There were no signs that this would have potentially been an issue for her, if it weren’t for screening, breast cancer wouldn’t have crossed our minds.” Jesse says.
Now, 5 years after her diagnosis, Kim’s scans have remained reassuring. The Marsch family is approaching the milestone “5 year hump” with cautious optimism.
A changed perspective on life after cancer
Jesse describes his role supporting his wife in simple terms: show up. He went to every appointment he could, learned the terminology and tried to be the steady presence Kim needed, eventually making a decision he calls both difficult and obvious – to leave his job to be fully present at home.
The experience reshaped his perspective on ambition, stress and what “success” means for a family. “It renewed our sense of what is important … mostly each other, family and friends,” he says.
He also learned what not to say. In the early days, trying to be motivational, he told Kim, “We need you. We’re going to be strong together” and found it caused some increased pressure. From then on, he focused on small joys - walks, dinners, ice cream - and having moments of normalcy between tests and treatments.
“Our family felt lucky,” Jesse says, reflecting on how getting an early diagnosis, thanks to regular screening, changed everything. “She went for screenings early and found it early, when treatment can be more successful.”
That early diagnosis and effective treatment are a direct result of innovative research that is saving and improving the lives of everyone facing cancer in Canada.
Now, as head coach of the Canadian men’s national soccer team at the World Cup this June, Jesse wants to use his platform to contribute beyond the pitch. Championing awareness and fundraising for cancer research felt like a natural fit.
“Soccer has always been about more than what happens on the pitch. It’s about teammates, community and having each other’s backs,” says Jesse.
“As the game in Canada reaches a moment where it’s growing bigger than ever, we have a powerful opportunity to come together, channel that spirit and rally around families affected by cancer.”
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Soccer for Cancer is taking on the challenge
You can make an impact too. Sign up to host your own Soccer for Cancer fundraiser during this year’s World Cup to combine the game you love with helping people affected by cancer across Canada.
You can make a difference for people like the Marsch family and the nearly half of Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
The future of cancer is in your hands. Play hard. Give back. Change lives.