Winter 2025 Delta Upsilon Quarterly

"Delta Upsilon has a way of bringing the right people together.” Sure, coincidence may be at play, but there is something about DU’s Principles and values that bring like-minded people together.

For Andrew Hayward, Western Ontario ’12, and Michael Daley, Western Ontario ’05, it may be a little bit of both. The two knew each other when they were kids, lost touch and later reconnected through DU. Now, this friendship—with support from DU brothers across the globe—is helping Andrew in the fight of his life. 

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“Andrew and I first met at church when we were kids,” Michael recalled. “Since I’m a few years older, I’ve known him his whole life. When my family moved to a different church when I was 12, we lost touch for a while. Andrew was one of those kids who lit up a room just by being in it. He had an insatiable curiosity about the world, always asking questions, and pushing the limits. He brought a smile to people’s face the way only little kids can.”

Years later, Michael was serving on the Western Ontario Chapter’s alumni chapter board when he came across a familiar name on the undergraduate chapter roster—Andrew’s. He was in disbelief. What were the odds? “Delta Upsilon has a way of bringing the right people together,” Michael said.

In their case, DU didn’t just build a new friendship; it rekindled an old one. As Andrew became Chapter President, the two’s reconnection grew stronger as they spent more time working together. The same curious kid Michael once knew was still there, this time using his positive spirit to lead a group of fraternity men.

Then, like can often be the case, the two lost touch again after Andrew graduated and moved across the country to Alberta. But DU has a way of bringing the right people together. In 2020, the unthinkable happened, and Andrew was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 31. Michael knew he needed to reach out again.

“That’s the thing about DU—it’s not just for four years. It’s for life,” Michael said. “And when one of our own needs us, we show up."

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“We had just come home from three weeks visiting my family in Ontario, and it was great,” Andrew recalled. “A couple weeks after we got home, I started to get this really bad gut pain that would come and go. Then it didn't. I am an estimator for a large exterior renovation company. I was able to go to work but I was in a lot of pain and couldn't stand up straight, so I had heat packs on my stomach constantly trying to find any relief.”

About a month and a half later, a colonoscopy revealed cancer and a tumor that was blocking 95% of Andrew's colon. It was news no one wants to receive, especially someone his age with a wife and three young daughters aged 5, 2 and 1 at the time. But Andrew was a fighter.

“Initially, I went into game mode,” he said. “Nothing I can do to change it, but what's the next step?”

The next steps involved surgery to remove the tumor and eight rounds of extensive chemotherapy.

Fast forward three years to September 2023 when during a regular CT scan follow-up, doctors told Andrew about another tumor, this time in his lungs. By January 2024, spikes in his blood levels began to indicate cancer, and in February, a PET scan showed two additional nodules. Andrew’s colon cancer had metastasized in his lungs. He began chemotherapy again on April 4, 2024—his 35th birthday.

While any form of cancer treatment is rough, this round of treatment quickly took its toll on Andrew. The treatments left him severely dehydrated, vomiting and with borderline kidney failure. Additional scans then showed cancerous activity in Andrew’s L4 vertebrae.

“This took surgery right off the table and [put me] back into chemo till I was dead, which I was told would not be long even with treatments,” Andrew recalled. “I did not accept this as a final diagnosis and put my faith in God.”

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Faith and family have been important to Andrew as he continues his battle with cancer. For so many, it can be hard to ask others for help in times of need, but knowing his family and friends—including his DU brothers—will be by his side has been a tremendous source of comfort and support.

After hearing about Andrew’s second diagnosis, Michael approached him about setting up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of treatments and other expenses for his family. While reluctant at first, Andrew agreed, and Michael went to work.

“The word ‘brotherhood’ is often thrown around in college, but it’s times like this that reveal what it truly means,” Michael said. “The moment Andrew needed support, DU brothers answered the call—immediately, overwhelmingly and without hesitation.”

Brothers who knew Andrew personally donated to the cause and reached out with texts, phone calls and visits. So many more who have never even met Andrew have given generously to the GoFundMe simply to support a brother.

“That’s the beauty of Delta Upsilon—friendship doesn’t require familiarity,” Michael said. “It’s built on a foundation stronger than time, stronger than distance, and strong enough to carry one of our own through his darkest days.”

As of, March 17, 2025, the GoFundMe has raised nearly $173,000. It is because of these funds that Andrew and his family were able to move to Arizona in August 2024 as he started treatments at Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale.

“We felt like this is where God was leading us,” Andrew said. “Even while moving out of our house, our U-Haul had Arizona pates.” 

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Andrew and his family spent four months in Arizona as he underwent treatments that included chemotherapy, NTC therapy, and surgical ablations to remove his tumors. At the time, doctors believed Andrew to be cancer-free. However, once back in Canada, Andrew once again started experiencing back pain. He is now fighting cancer once again, this time in his spine, pelvis and two points in the muscles along his spine.

As Andrew has his entire life, he continues to lean on his faith, family and optimism. While his time in Arizona didn’t completely heal him, Andrew believes it has set him on a better path—a path that wouldn't be possible without his DU brothers.

“We knew right from the start we were playing from behind when it came to my disease, and I was going to need a miracle,” he said. “However, we also knew that this treatment protocol will build a foundation for healing and then it will be easier for me to build the house.”

Today, Andrew continues lower protocol treatments like radiation and naturopathic medicine. He has also started back at work, albeit from home since sitting or standing for too long can cause back spasms and pain. Through it all, his friends and family continue to offer support, even if on the other side of the country. At some point in the future, Andrew hopes to pay it forward by hosting a party in Ontario to thank everyone.

You can bet that his DU brothers will be there. Like Michael said, Delta Upsilon has a way of bringing the right people together. 

To learn more about Andrew's fight, click here.