Update – April 28, 2025: Steady Progress and How You Can Help

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an update on Sam, and to thank you for the support, donations, encouragement, and prayers (here and elsewhere). It’s been a true lifeline for us.

Thanks to your generosity, over $41,000 has already been raised toward his $65,000 goal. We are so grateful. We’re now working to raise the final $24,000 to help us arrange the next phase of his care.

Sam’s latest PET scan showed some signs of progression in his lungs. It’s not the news we were hoping for, but it also wasn’t a complete surprise. After a lot of conversations with his medical team — and when I say "a lot," I mean it feels like we’ve talked to just about every oncologist and specialist in Australia (and possibly beyond) — Sam is preparing to start treatment with Lenvatinib and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda).

This combination isn’t yet standard for his cancer type here in Australia, but early research is promising. There will be some tough side effects to manage, particularly around blood pressure, wound healing, and energy, but it gives us a chance to slow the cancer down before it grows further.

In preparation, Sam recently had another surgery that needed to be done before treatment started. He’s also focused on building up as much strength as he can — still continuing his training toward a black belt in Kung Fu, and working on his "mental Kung Fu" by diving into all sorts of strategies to embrace calm, joy, and gratitude wherever he can.

The next steps we're hoping to organise over the next few weeks:

• Conventional treatment: Lenvatinib and Keytruda (the combination that seems to offer the best likelihood of success based on emerging research and clinical advice from thyroid cancer specialists)
• Supportive care: Strengthening his body (and mind) through integrative therapies here and overseas

In the meantime, he's focused on staying active, getting some sun, chasing the kids around, and enjoying being part of the community at St Clement's Anglican Church.

An overwhelming number of people have already donated to Sam’s fundraiser, but if there’s anyone left — or if you’d like to donate again — the fundraiser will stay open. We’d also really appreciate any shares you can give it. It’s a really awkward thing, asking for help like this, but I know that when I’ve seen posts like this from others, I’ve been glad for the chance to help and I’m just hoping you might feel the same.

Fundraiser link: givesendgo.com/sam-ikin

Thank you so much,

Angela

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Hi, we’re Sam, Angela, and our three boys—Bobby (14), Teddy (11), and Roy (3). Last June, our world turned upside down. After changing lifestyle and losing a fair bit of weight, Sam found a lump in his neck. Doctors initially thought it was benign, but tests revealed stage four poorly differentiated thyroid cancer—a rare and aggressive type that’s already spread to his lungs and hip.

Here’s the tough part: our local oncologist initially said there was no conventional treatment available in Australia, but one of the amazing doctors at the Peter McCullam Cancer Centre has given us a little bit of hope around a conventional solution. The catch is, it will cost tens of thousands of dollars. So that's partly where the funds we collect here will go.

But we won't rest rest at something that has a slim chance of working. After researching tirelessly, we’ve found there are private clinics offering specialised treatment that could give Sam a fighting chance. Time is critical, and we’re ready to act fast—but we can’t do it alone.

The treatment, travel, accommodation and related costs total more than $100,000 AUD. As a family, we’ve always believed in hard work and resilience, but this is beyond what we can manage. Flights alone could cost tens of thousands, and that’s before the medical bills. That’s why we’re turning to you—our friends, family, and kind strangers—through GiveSendGo.

Every dollar brings us closer to getting Sam the care he needs to keep being the dad Bobby, Teddy, and Roy deserve. Whether it’s $5, $50, or just sharing this campaign, your support means the world. We’re fighting for more time together—will you fight with us?

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Angela, Bobby, Teddy, Roy and Sam