Community stands by Exeter Chiefs player Aidon Davis

Exeter Chiefs player Aidon Davis’s fight against blood cancer highlights the great community we live in and the fact that nobody will fight this disease alone.

Aidon is a prime example that blood cancer can hit anybody, of any age, at any time. Aidon was a fit and healthy 29-year-old rugby player, when he received the shocking diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the end of last year. This was only a couple of months prior to the birth of Aidon’s gorgeous baby daughter, who was born in February. The diagnosis turned the entire family’s life upside-down.

Adion’s brave decision to go public with his diagnosis has had a great impact amongst Exeter Chiefs fans. It has raised awareness about blood cancer, which affects 3000 people in the Southwest each year. Aidon’s condition (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) is one of over 100 different variants of blood cancer. As a result, each patient treatment journey is varied and individual.

Since Aidon’s diagnosis, the response from Exeter Chiefs and the rugby community in general has been outstanding.

When Aidon’s diagnosis was first made public, Director of Rugby Rob Baxter explained how the entire club would support Aidon in any way they could:

“We at the Chiefs are all right behind him in his fight to get 100% well again and I know Aidon is desperate to continue getting into the club and training and partaking in club activities whenever he can.”

“Aidon is an incredibly strong and popular character and I know all our supporters will join myself, the staff and players in supporting him wherever and whenever we can.”

Since then, support shown towards Aidon and the awareness raised has been phenomenal.

This month during the warm-up of their game against Bath, players wore special edition t-shirts to help raise funds in Aidon’s name for both the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and the Players Benevolent fund.

The Players Benevolent Fund was set up by Exeter Rugby Club Chairman Tony Rowe CBE, as part of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, to financially assist current and past players in times of need or hardship. Exeter Leukaemia Fund understands the importance of such a fund, with its own fund offering emergency support grants for local families affected by blood cancer and facing financial difficulties following a life-changing blood cancer diagnosis. Find out more here.

Alongside supporting Exeter Chiefs players through its benevolent Fund, the Exeter Chiefs Foundation is already well known to ELF as a longstanding supporter of our charity. ELF is proud to have been one of over 20 designated charities receiving funds through match bucket collections for many years. Local charities can also apply to the Foundation for capital funding of projects within the local community.

Exeter Leukaemia Fund is proud to be supporting an event hosted by 1314 events in aid of Aidon next month (9th May). 1314 events were formed with the backing of international rugby players Jack Nowell and Henry Slade, following the success of their testimonial year in 2023.

They aim to continue planning events that celebrate sport, food, and adventure, whilst entertaining, bringing people together, and raising funds for charity.

ELF is delighted to have been invited to ‘An evening of fine dining with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge’ to help raise awareness about our work in the community for blood cancer patients, alongside the fundraising activities for Aidon. 

An inspirational story of the community coming together to support an individual affected by blood cancer. Our message from Exeter Leukaemia Fund to Aidon and all patients affected by blood cancer: ‘You are not alone. We stand by you and we’re here for you. If you need our help, please contact us.’