Taylor, or Texas he’s affectionately known by his teammates and fans, used to be known for his long locks. But three years ago though he gave his mullet the chop on live TV, for the adorable young Lily Block, who stole his heart as well as his hair!
Lily first met the Adelaide Crows captain in 2012, not long after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, at just three years old.
Inspired by her courage, Taylor shaved his head on The Footy Show to raise funds for The Leukaemia Foundation.
“Knowing Lily over the last couple of years, she’s a strong little girl,” Tex told the Adelaide Advertiser.
The pair have stayed in regular contact ever since they first met, which is how Tex found out this year that Lily’s cancer had returned.
“When he first heard she was diagnosed, that day he messaged to send his best wishes,” Lily’s mother Italia said.
“My fingers and toes are crossed for her,” Taylor said this week.
Lily’s family, including brother Kobi, nine and her parents Italia and Luke are packing up and relocating interstate so that Lily can undergo the high-risk treatment she needs in Sydney.
“Lily needs it to survive,” Lily’s mum Italia said.
“It (the cancer) has hit her hard this time … her mental state has been quite depressed and shocked and sad as you could expect.
“But she’s certainly picked up and focusing on the positives at the moment.”
Lily’s family have every reason to be positive as her big brother Jake, 17, has already beat cancer as a child. He will remain in Adelaide though as the others travel for her treatment.
“We’ll (the Crows) do as much as we can to help out the family,” Taylor said.
“It puts life into perspective, we’re very lucky with what we do.”
Speaking about the bond between the football star and her daughter, Italia said that the towering Crows captain is in fact a “big softie” at heart – something that Womansday.com.au readers of course already know after his adorable moment with the team’s tearful young mascot went viral earlier this month.
“That’s why they (Lily and Walker) have connected,” she said.
“I think they’re both a little shy, but they’ve connected well.”
Taylor Walker’s soft side was put on show earlier this month as he comforted the Crows young team mascot after a tearful moment before the game.
Italia added that the 24-year-old had also recently taken part in a quiz night at their local Football Club to help raise money for Lily’s treatment.
“Any time we see him (on the television), Lily will look him up or she’ll want to send him a message on the phone or on Facebook.”
Italia said that for now, Lily and the family were, “taking each day as it comes”.
“Lily’s doing really well. She’s going to get better and pull through.’.”
If you would like to help Lily and her family raise the $30,000 needed for her medical treatment and their relocation costs, visit Lily’s Wishing Well to make a contribution.
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