Update August 22, 2024

Hola from Hobart.

We made it there. And back again.

It’s taken us a while to write this update. Not because there’s nothing to say, but because there’s a lot. And we’re not always sure what to include and what to leave out. We’re also very aware of our family and loved ones who are also going through it at the moment.

Sam’s latest PET scan (from July) was… mixed. Many of the tumours looked “quieter.” Some seemed about the same. And a few appeared new since the last scan. That last bit is hard to swallow. Especially where it looks like the cancer might have spread into new areas. But without a really clear baseline from just before Mexico, it’s possible those “new” spots were already there. Until the next scan, we won’t know for sure what’s post-Mexico progression.

Things are further complicated by a change in oncologists. We still haven’t actually sat down with Sam’s new doctor — that’s happening next week — so there’s been a long gap between the scan and proper medical interpretation. In the meantime, we’ve ended up with two separate written reports of the same scan, and (at least to our eyes) they don’t quite match up.

What does seem consistent is this: the tumours in Sam’s lungs look less active. And because he hasn’t started any other treatment since Mexico, the only thing we can attribute that to is the protocol from Hope4Cancer. We're holding onto that. It seems positive. It could be changing the prognosis.

We wouldn’t even be here — literally or figuratively — without your help. Getting Sam to Mexico was only possible because of you. We’re hopeful he can manage a shorter follow-up trip before the end of the year, and our fingers are crossed that next week’s meeting with the new oncologist confirms what we think we’re seeing.

With love and gratitude,


Sam & Ange

Update June 22, 2025

Hola from Mexico. We made it

We’re here so Sam can start a three-week intensive at Hope4Cancer. It’s a clinic that offers integrative treatments, which means a lot of testing, IVs, therapies, and yes—a bit of juicing and one thing involving coffee that we probably don’t need to get into. (Sam calls it “upside down coffee.”)

He’s a few days in now and it’s full-on. There’s a base protocol, but they’ve also run a whole new round of tests we’d never even heard of back home. It feels like there’s a plan that’s being shaped around him specifically, not just the cancer type. One of the doctors said something that stuck with both of us—that most of us have fought off cancer cells in our bodies before, but sometimes your system just stops keeping up. The work now is getting Sam’s immune system back into balance so it can do what it’s meant to do. Whether or not that’s technically true, there’s something powerful in the idea. That it’s not about doing the impossible. It’s about doing it again.

Sam said the other day that what he’s holding onto here is faith. Not just the big-picture kind, though that’s a huge part of it. But also faith in his body. In the process. In the idea that healing isn’t just possible, it’s normal.

Roy (our three-year-old) has been amazing. He managed the long-haul flights like a pro, and we barely touched the activity packs I stressed over for days. It helped to break up the trip and do an overnight stop along the way.

We haven’t been great at posting updates here, but we’ve started sharing more on Instagram:

📸 @sam_plus_ange

It’s a bit chaotic but we’re trying to document this honestly, especially because when we were researching whether or not we could even do this, there wasn’t much out there. Even less for people travelling with a toddler. So we’re hoping this helps someone else too.

When we get home, it’s straight into another PET scan, followed by a combination of medicines. One is on the PBS, the other isn’t. It’s not traditional chemo (it doesn’t seem to work well for Sam’s cancer type), but it comes with its own challenges. Apparently he might keep his hair, though, so that’s nice.

We’re so grateful for all the support that got us here whether it’s donations, messages of advice and support or all of the above. Thank you. Truly. I don’t want to get too overblown about it but there’s a real chance Sam will be around for his boys much longer because of your help.

St Luke’s Health have also helped with part of the cost of the non-PBS medication, which made a big difference. So have friends and family who’ve guided us through the heavy stuff like wills, finances, and the news our rental - which has been home for years - is being sold.

We’re hopeful we can get Sam back here in three months for the follow-up phase. It’s shorter and largely prepaid, but we’ll still need to sort flights and accommodation. So if you know anyone who might want to support this next part, please feel free to share. And if not, just being here means a lot.

How You Can Help

• Donate: Any amount, big or small, makes a difference.
• Share our story: Spread the word to friends, family, or networks who might help.
• Follow along: Join us on Instagram (@sam_plus_ange) for updates and to cheer Sam on :)

With thanks,

Angela (and Sam and Roy and all of us)

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