Former Toowoomba man Nathan Mead battling stage four cancer, community raises $27k through GoFundMe

Hundreds of residents have raised tens of thousands of dollars to support a Downlands graduate and popular hockey player, as he faces the fight of his life against stage four cancer.

As Nathan Mead prepares to embark on an uncertain journey that could save his life, he feels comforted knowing how many people are rooting for him.

The 20-year-old Downlands graduate and popular former Toowoomba hockey player was a fit and healthy uni student just six months ago when he noticed a pain in his knee.

It was the start of a dramatic upheaval of his life that culminated in doctors diagnosing him with stage four metastatic melanoma in September.

It’s been an uphill battle for Mr Mead, initial treatments of immunotherapy resulted in horrific side effects, including the loss of most of his vision.

But Mr Mead, known as “Meady” to his friends, is staying positive as he gets ready to fly 1600km to Adelaide every two weeks for a six-visit trial melanoma vaccine.

“I’ve had to hang up the partying boots and stay in watching movies,” he joked.

“I sort of take it as it comes, day by day.

“Mentally, it’s a bit tricky but I haven’t found it too hard — I’m sure the travelling will take its toll, but I’ll see how I go.”

Nathan Mead of Newtown against Norths players in A1 mens hockey at Clyde Park, Friday, July 19, 2019.

Hundreds of family, friends and strangers raised more than $17,000 in less than 48 hours through a GoFundMe to help his parents afford the extraordinary costs of the trip, which will cost more than $40,000 in treatment, flights, car hire and accommodation.

The campaign is now at $27,000.

Mr Mead’s mother Tracey said the family-of-six had been overwhelmed by the support, considering their initial reticence to ask the public for financial help.

“This whole GoFundMe is something we never thought we’d need for ourselves – I’ve been asked numerous times over the past three months by (my friend) Jo Capp, who started it,” she said.

“I feel really uncomfortable about people donating money towards us.

“We can sell our house and I’ve gone and got money off our mortgage – I feel really humbled and extremely appreciative (of the support).

“We just live in a beautiful community, we knew that when we decided to move here all those years ago.”

Nathan Mead at Downlands College mass for Yr 12 graduates at the college in 2019. Picture: Kevin Farmer

With immunotherapy backfiring and targeted therapy leading to limited success, Mrs Mead and her husband Stuart knew they were running out of time to save Nathan’s life.

“He’s gone from no tablets to being on high doses of morphine, steroids, chemo tablets,” she said.

“It’s atrocious to watch him every day – I don’t know how he’s doing it, he’s trying really hard.

“He wants to live, he wants to knock this over fast.

“This vaccine (in Adelaide) is going to be injecting him with someone else’s melanoma, they’re injecting it to try and tell his body to fight it.”

Through it all, Mrs Mead said Toowoomba’s hospital staff had been amazing.

“He’s been in and out of hospital, and the ladies at St Andrew’s couldn’t be more beautiful. Toowoomba is amazing for the care we get,” she said.

Mr Mead said he wanted to show his appreciation for those who had donated, but also hoped they could support others doing it tough.

“It’s pretty overwhelming, I’m just glad it can go to help mum and dad,” he said.

“It’s not just me who’s affected by (cancer), there are a lot of other people who need help.”