'I will be right there with you': NHL prospect Austin Roest supports girlfriend Milly Okabe after stage 4 cancer diagnosis

Austin Roest had a message for his girlfriend, but it was the photos accompanying it that revealed just how serious the moment had become. The Nashville Predators prospect shared two pictures from Milly Okabe's hospital bed on Friday, September 4, alongside a deeply emotional message promising to stand by her through what lies ahead. The couple, who have been together for more than three years, are now facing a devastating new chapter. Instagram/austinroest | Austin Roest and Milly Okabe have been together for more than three years. Austin Roest shares emotional message for Milly Okabe The 22-year-old athlete, turned to Instagram after Okabe was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, sharing a message filled with love and reassurance for his girlfriend. "Milly, I don't even know what to say," Roest wrote via Instagram. "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. I love you so much and I will be right there with you through all of this." Along with the message, Roest posted two photos showing Okabe in a hospital bed and urged his followers to donate to a GoFundMe campaign set up to support her and her family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Austin Roest (@austinroest) Who is Milly Okabe? Before her diagnosis, Okabe had built a close connection with figure skating, both as an athlete and a teacher. The former figure skater spent years competing at a high level before turning her attention towards teaching children how to skate. Her GoFundMe describes her as "a kind, strong and selfless person who means so much to everyone around her." "Skating has always been a huge part of Milara's life,' the GoFundMe reads. "After spending years as a high-level skater herself, she now loves being able to share that passion by teaching kids how to skate. Outside of the rink, she is constantly with the people she loves the most — her friends and family, as well as simply having the most fun in everything she does." The fundraiser says her family is doing everything possible to remain close to her during treatment, while also dealing with the financial consequences of her diagnosis. Instagram/millyokabe | Milly Okabe is a former figure skater. Milly Okabe diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma According to the GoFundMe created in her honour, Okabe, 22, has been diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in glandular cells that line or form part of organs. The diagnosis has now placed Okabe and her family in the middle of an uncertain and challenging period of treatment. Okabe also broke her silence on Friday, sharing her own message on Instagram as she acknowledged the fear surrounding what comes next while expressing gratitude for the people supporting her. "There's a lot of fear of the unknown, 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," she shared via Instagram. Okabe added, "Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way. I'm so extremely grateful." View this post on Instagram A post shared by MILLY (@millyokabe) Austin Roest's NHL career Roest has been working towards his own professional hockey ambitions since being selected by the Nashville Predators in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old spent last season moving between the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators as he continued his development. But away from the ice, Roest is now focused on supporting Okabe as she begins treatment and her family navigates the challenges that come with her diagnosis.