Austin Roest is reflecting on a difficult time.
The NHL prospect recently shared his girlfriend Milly Okabe, 22, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
“Milly, I don’t even know what to say,” Roest, also 22, wrote in a Sept. 4 Instagram post featuring her in a hospital bed. “I am so sorry this is happening to you. No one deserves to go through this. That being said, I have no doubt in my mind you will beat cancer. You are the strongest person I know and I know you will overcome everything that comes your way over the next year.”
And as the Nashville Predators sixth-round pick emphasized, Okabe is surrounded by support during her journey.
“I love you so much and I will be right there with you through all of this,” he continued. “We have also started a GoFundMe to help support Milly and her family during this difficult time.”
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Okabe also shared her perspective on her health journey, noting that she’s counting on her loved ones.
“There’s a lot of fear of the unknown,” she wrote in her own Instagram post, “but what I do know is that I am extremely lucky in this life to have friends that are family, and a family that loves me this hard.”
Echoing that fundraising efforts will help support her and her family, Okabe went to share her appreciation.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way,” she concluded. “I’m so extremely grateful.”
Over the years, Roest and Okabe—who began dating in 2023—have shared rare glimpses into their life together, detailing the impact they’ve had on each other.
“We were 19 in some of these, now we’re 22,” Okabe captioned a January Instagram post, “happy birthday, many more with you.”
For more who’ve opened up about their cancer journeys, keep reading…
Paul Archuleta/Getty ImagesColin EgglesfieldThe All My Children alum announced in January 2025 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his third cancer diagnosis throughout his life.
Despite the devastating news, he announced (for the third time) in February 2025 he was cancer-free following successful surgery and treatments.
“Remember, you’re not defined by any of your challenges,” he wrote in his February 2025 Instagram update. “You’re grander than it all. I’m not my fear, my anxiousness or my scars but I embrace it all because the only way to transform it is to own it.”Taylor Hill/WireImageGerry TurnerThe former Golden Bachelor star shared in Dec. 2024 that he had been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a bone cancer.
“Unfortunately, there’s no cure for it,” Gerry noted to People at the time. “So that weighs heavily in every decision I make. It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me. And I was a bit in denial for a while, I didn’t want to admit to it.”Tommy Garcia/BravoAriana Madix”I had to have a lil bit o’cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied,” the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. “(In the clear now!)”Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesChristina ApplegateThe Up All Night star was declared “100-percent clear” of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.Albert L. Ortega/Getty ImagesJim BeaverThe actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.Paul Archuleta/FilmMagicMarcia CrossThe Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. “After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me,” she shared on Instagram. Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesDustin HoffmanThe two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman “surgically cured.”J.H. SAUNDERS/LandovHugh JackmanThe X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman’s rep told E! News that he’s “all good” now.
In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, “If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen.”Adam Olszweski/Bravo/NBCU Photo BankCamille GrammerThe former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Gordon Ramsay / InstagramGordon RamsayAlongside a pair of photos that show a line of stitches running from the bottom of his ear to his jaw, which he later covered with a bandage, the British celebrity chef shared that he underwent a procedure to treat skin cancer.
“Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast reactive work on removing this Basal Cell Carcinoma,” Gordon wrote on Instagram August 2025. “Please don’t forget your sunscreen this weekend.”
“I promise you it’s not a face lift,” he added. “I’d need a refund…”Jordan Strauss/Invision/APCobie SmuldersThe Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesDr. Drew PinskyTV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesBrooke BurkeThe Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, “Thx for all the twitter love. I’m [home] recovering & resting.”Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesAngie Everhart”MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! #wootothemotherf–kinhoo,” the actress tweeted after receiving the good news.Albert L. Ortega/Getty ImagesMichael C. HallThe Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin’s lymphoma.Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesMichelle MonaghanThe Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DisneyEwan McGregorThe Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.Brad Barket/Getty Images for Happy Hearts FundSheryl CrowThe singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a “minimally invasive” lumpectomy and radiation therapy.Grant Lamos IV/Getty ImagesMichael DouglasThe Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer “beat.”Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesEdie FalcoThe Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.Doug Meszler / Splash NewsAnderson CooperSurely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he’s braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImageKylie MinogueThe Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.Stefanie Keenan/Getty ImagesBarry WatsonThe 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease when he was only 28. He’s 50 now and looking good!Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesMaura TierneyThe ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.CBSSharon OsbourneThe America’s Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.Jemal Countess/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film FestivalRobert De NiroThe Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesRobin RobertsThe Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.Robert Laberge/Getty ImagesLance ArmstrongThe champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles.Richard Shotwell/Invision/APMelissa EtheridgeThe Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005.Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for LA TimesJulia SweeneyThe former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha!, her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway.photos
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