Robert is a 57-year-old First Nations gentleman from the Great Southern Region of Western Australia. Growing up in the small country town of Broomehill with his parents and six siblings, Robert reflects loving the outdoors, gardening and cooking.
Robert relocated to Katanning in 1980 where he attended 1.5-years of high school before leaving to care for his grandmother in Perth.
This started a long legacy of caring for others, including Robert supporting both of his parents throughout their own ill-health including Cancer diagnoses, and end-of-life care experiences. In 2019 Robert took on the care of four young relatives, they remain in his care and are now aged between 7 and 19.
Robert has a passion for working in health services, with his greatest interests laying in supporting people being treated in psychiatric and mental health settings.
Robert’s journey working in health commenced during a work experience role at Katanning District Hospital, since this time he has worked in multiple hospitals throughout the Perth Metropolitan Area and boasts a colourful working history in health services.
Robert has demonstrated a deep commitment to this work and has serviced Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, Armadale Health Service, Royal Perth Hospital, Bentley Health Service, North Metropolitan Aboriginal Health Unit, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital in patient care assistant, community engagement and Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer roles.
Diagnosis
In late 2017 Robert saw his General Practitioner for a routine medical check-up, in a whirlwind of events, Robert found himself at Fiona Stanley Hospital where he worked at the time having urgent blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, becoming a patient himself.
Within days to weeks, Robert received his Acute Myeloid Leukaemia diagnosis for which he commenced immediate treatment for. Robert describes feeling as if his “world was turned upside down” during this period.
Robert was deeply motivated to engage in his treatment and after intensive rounds of chemotherapy, for which he experienced a number of complications, he was thought to be cancer free.
Sadly however, in October of 2022, Robert experienced a relapse of disease and underwent an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in July of 2023.
Robert now experiences chronic Graft Versus Host Disease, a complication of the transplant which includes the T-cells of the new immune system recognising the recipient’s cells as foreign and attacking them.
More recently in December of 2024, Robert has again experienced another relapse of disease, only 17-months post-transplant.
Whilst Robert remains determined to navigate the intensive treatments ahead, he continues to experience physical, emotional and economic effects as a result.
How can you help?
Robert is seeking support to help him continue to engage in his health care and support himself and his young family.
Donations will contribute to:
- Daily living expenses
- Travel costs to/from Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Cancer Centre
- Ongoing costs associated with medical care
- Future planning
Robert is very grateful to the many people who have helped and supported him along his journey and expresses his deep gratitude to those that support these fundraising efforts.
Wishing you all the very best, stay strong.