Military Veteran/Single Father Battling Cancer

Hey everyone. I want to share a story with you of a very dear friend of mine. He is one of the strongest, loving, proud, happy people that I know. However, he was dealt an unfortunate hand.

Let me start by telling you a little about Rob. I met him in the 90’s. We became great friends and dancing partners. We spent many nights in a group of friends having the most amazing times. Rob is always smiling and makes everyone around him feel amazing.

Rob decided it was time to start a new career and was off to join the Army. He loved serving his country and loved everything about his decision to engage in military life.  1995-2003 he served as Army Reserves/National Guard. Sep. 2003- Dec. 2012 Active Army. Rob served 16 months in Afghanistan March 2006-July 2007.

During this time Rob got married and had his first son in 2006. He has 4 beautiful children and 2 step children that are his entire world.  They are, Robert is now 14, Alex 13, Justin 11, Kristy 9. His step children are Shawn 19 and Jake 18. In 2011 Robs marriage unfortunately ended and he became a single parent.

Tragedy struck in August 2009.
Cancer: Stage IV metastatic extra-skeletal osteosarcoma. Removal softball size tumor and surrounding muscle in right inner thigh October 2009. He had to medically retire from the Army in December of 2012.

The cancer then Spread to lungs Jan 2, 2012. He had 34 treatments of traditional radiation, 2 bouts of cyber knife radiation, 4 surgeries both lungs, and 1yr chemo 2012. He was left with about 60 % of his lungs. At this time the doctors gave Rob about 2 years to live. He was not about to give up. He has 4 of his own children and 2 step children to take care of. He kept up by working out, eating better and staying positive defeating the 2 year mark doctors gave him.

Then again in 2018 he had another 3 rounds of chemo. Chemo induced neuropathy in both hands and feet.

Imagine all of this while being a single parent as well as coaching rec soccer for Pemberton and now Asst coach U12 travel soccer for his youngest. Every time you see Rob he is smiling and living to the fullest. You really wouldn’t know he is sick and in a battle for his life.

Yet again February 2020, Rob is receiving  bad news. The cancer has gotten worse. As you can imagine this was horrific news. He is about to start another drug called Stivarga to buy time. The doctors are unsure how much time he has left. It could be months or years.  All Rob still does is smile and continue to push for his children. He wants to secure a home for them that is just theirs and spend as much quality time that he can with them. He is such a proud independent man and hardly ever asks for anyone’s help and NEVER asks for money.

So why this long story. When you have a loved one going through such a thing there is not much you can do to help. I am just hoping that anyone who can spare any extra cash to send it to help Rob and his kids. This is one small thing we can help with so finances are not another issue for him to worry about. Rob cannot work and relies on social security and his Army retirement. It’s never enough.

For any of you who can help it is appreciated more then you know. For any of you who cannot thank you as well for even taking the time to read about This great man.


Hug your children and love life like it’s your last day!