Beckett was born with Down Syndrome and Taggert is a strong supporter of related charities. She posts frequently of her love and support for Beckett and others living with Down Syndrome. 

More than Meets the Eye: Cancer

Taggert has also had a very public battle with cancer that she was willing to speak about on-air, in interviews, and on social media. In January 2012, Taggert passed out in the studio washroom at CTV news. After being rushed to the hospital, doctors found a ruptured tumour about the size of a fist. It had been growing for several years as Taggert suffered with symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and chronic headaches. Formally diagnosted with GIST, surgeons were able to remove the tumour from her small intestine in a surgery that lasted five hours. GIST is a rare sarcoma that affects only 15 in one million. In January of 2014, Taggert appeared as a "Cancer Cover Girl" for a British Columbia magazine. She said the experience proved therapudeic. "It takes the weight of the world off of your shoulders when you share common experiences, including those about cancer" she stated. On February 19, 2015, Taggert posted on Twitter that she took her last dose of cancer medication. "Good riddance to my numerous side-effects. No more fatigue, muscle cramping, crappy hair, brutal immune system or water retention", she said of her "miracle worker" pills. 

Reflections

In the BC Living magazine, Taggert responded to her newfound remission. "I don't get worked up about little things like I used to. Things that used to make me crazy, I stop and think 'Tamara, what are you doing? It doesn't matter.'" "Everyone is going through something, even if it isn't always immediately apparent."

"I savour every moment with the kids. I always did, but now I'm hyperaware of every moment. And I was always clear about what's important to me, who's important to me, but it's crystal clear now. Crystal clear. I don't care what people say or think about me anymore. I feel more grounded, more mature, wiser."

Taggert's active Twitter (@tamarataggart) has over 36,000 followers. In response to her recent termination, on April 10, 2018 she stated "I spent the day reading messages, texts, tweets, and emails. I'm in a puddle of tears, overwhelmed by your kindness. It's been my privilege to have grown up with you the past 21 years. The love you have shown me is with me forever." On April 25th she updated "Doing something I haven't done in decades...be alone. This is a pretty nice place to think, reflect and hopefully begin to heal. xx" Her Facebook (@TamaraLeeTaggart) has over 18,000 followers and mimics her Twitter posts. Her Instagram (@tamarataggart) has over 37,000 followers.

Sources

https://twitter.com/tamarataggart?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Taggart
https://www.facebook.com/TamaraLeeTaggart/
https://www.straight.com/news/1055581/tv-stations-wont-report-ctv-news-viewers-are-furious-over-ouster-tamara-taggart-and
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/04/10/tamara-taggart-mike-killeen-fired_a_23407485/
https://www.instagram.com/tamarataggart/?hl=en
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIVT-DT
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/tears-of-joy-tamara-taggart-celebrates-milestone-in-cancer-fight-1.2244032
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Tamara+Taggart+Cancer+cover+girl/9427641/story.html
https://www.bcliving.ca/tamara-taggart-explains-her-rare-medical-condition