a Saskatoon man who became a Trailblazer for soloc cybin therapy commonly known as magic mushrooms has died at the age of 56 anastasy hind tells us his family and friends hope his legacy will inspire change Thomas hardle struggled with endof life anxiety stemming from a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2020 he became the first person in Canada to legally gain access to psilocybin commonly known as magic mushrooms to help cope with it I really felt like it made him be here for years longer because he was so passionate about it and uh once he was able to try the the psilocybin therapy himself he he wanted that relief for others he died on August 13th after a 10-year battle with cancer he previously told CTV News the treatments helped him deal with difficult emotions and come to terms with the idea of dying he stopped worrying so much right um that anxiety was lifted hurdle's Health Canada exemption expired after 1 year he reapplied but in 2023 he was told his application was denied his wife mariss says they started traveling out of country for treatments it cost a lot of money for us to do that but it was something that was essential for him hartle's friend Michael kid set up a GoFundMe page for Thomas hardle memorial fund to honor his legacy he was such a dear friend um not just to me me personally but I think to so many Canadians and so many people across the world because he shared his experience so openly and so courageously so it had a it had a a profound effect marles says she hopes her husband's story will help improve accessibility to S ayb and treatment for anyone who needs it I hope that the the siloc cybin treatment is becomes available for everybody Stacy Hine CTV News Saskatoon