Bill Davidge is much more than the Fox Sports Ohio pre-game and post-game analyst for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is a kind soul who greets everyone with a firm handshake and a warm smile. He genuinely wants the best in life for everyone he meets. Davidge is an advocate for hockey in Ohio. He wants to see it flourish and grow. On any given weekend you can find Davidge at one of the many Chiller Ice Rinks in the Columbus area cheering on the local youth. Especially, when his little brother Dan Davidge’s team comes in from Culver, Indiana to take on the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets. The unwavering support Davidge gives to the growth of hockey in Ohio is to be revered.
With that being said it should be no shock why Davidge’s diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a cancer that attacks the plasma cells in a body, rocked the 5th line to the core in September of 2014. It sparked a hashtag on twitter (#battleforbilly) and an email address to send him well wishes (getwellbilly@bluejackets.com)
Until recently updates about Davidge’s health had died down. On April 20th, 2014 Davidge was admitted to the James Cancer Center for an extended stay. While there he will complete chemotherapy and receive a stem cell transplant.
Keep #CBJ broadcaster Bill Davidge in your thoughts. The next phase in fight vs cancer begins Monday at the James w bone marrow transplant.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 19, 2015
Davidge and his son, Rob, have set up a My Life Line account to keep people updated on his stay at the hospital. In one of their recent posts Bill Davidge gave thanks to everyone for their support.
I got an opportunity to read all of the well wishes from my friends, from my family, from Blue Jackets nation known as the 5th line. Thank you ever so much for your prayers and thoughts.
Keep up the prayers, thoughts, and well wishes 5th line. It’s going to be a long battle and Bill Davidge needs your continued support.