Help Me Beat Cancer and Support Further Research.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Rob Micklethwaite, aged 31, born and raised in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

I moved to Japan in 2015 with a dream of educating and shaping the minds of kindergarten and elementary-aged students. Little did I know that life had a different path in store for me.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with a rare form of child cancer known as Stage 4 neuroblastoma. According to my oncologists I am one of very few people alive today to be diagnosed with this type of cancer over the age of 25, and was initially given 6 months to live. After extensive research and genome tracing, we believe the cause of this cancer is due to a genetic disease referred to as BRCA 1, which in laymen terms means my body isn’t able to detect and fight off certain types of cancerous cells.

The journey has been incredibly challenging, marked by a 14 hour operation and six rounds of intense ICE chemotherapy. Miraculously, I entered remission in July 2020, only to face relapses in my spine and left abdominal cavity in 2022 and 2023. I have been fortunate enough to have been treated by an incredible group of doctors and the Japanese health care system as a whole, whom are actively using my data for further research in this field of pediatric oncology.

Up until now I have been able to fight this disease with every inch of my being, and have continued being able to work in between treatment. However my most recent update regarding my condition has put everything into jeopardy.

My latest battle involves a lymphatic metastasis in my left abdomen, with the tumor surrounding my only surviving kidney. Despite undergoing state-of-the-art proton therapy treatment last summer, the cancer has persisted, spreading to my spine, collar, and liver. Each setback has demanded more from me physically, emotionally, and financially.

Having given my all to support myself over the past five years, the financial strain has become overwhelming. Up until now my treatment and battle has cost the best part of £60,000 with the price of care further increasing. I am reaching out to you, my community, with a humble request for assistance to cover the mounting costs of my ongoing treatment. Your support will not only aid in my fight against cancer but will also enable me to continue pursuing my passion for teaching.

The funds raised will go towards medical bills, specialised treatments, and necessary medications. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me one step closer to overcoming this relentless disease and returning to the classroom where I belong.

Your generosity will not only ease the burden of medical expenses but will also provide the hope and strength I need to face each day with resilience. Together, we can make a significant impact on my journey towards recovery and help me reclaim my life and career, as well as provide vital research and data to help others in their fight for this awful disease.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting me in this critical time. Your kindness is a beacon of hope, and I am grateful for any help you can provide.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Rob Micklethwaite