Hobart’s Nathan Phillips diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

A Hobart man lovingly described as a “big teddy bear” has needed to get his claws out and fight for his life after a second cruel health blow in just a handful of years.

A Hobart man lovingly described as a “big teddy bear” has needed to get his claws out and fight for his life after a second cruel health blow in just a handful of years.

Nathan ‘Noofa’ Phillips was originally diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018 before the disease spread into his lymph nodes.

Four years later, Mr Phillips has been dealt another rough hand after being told he had early stages of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Nicole and Nathan Phillips.

The 38-year-old has commenced intensive chemotherapy at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he’ll remain for at least four weeks, and once in remission he’ll need to relocate to Melbourne for a bone-marrow transplant.

Mr Phillips’ sister Kaylah McPherson said he’d been through a tough time.

“He knew in himself something wasn’t right when he was going for tests,” Ms McPherson said.

“The outcome rocked him a little bit more than what he led on, it wasn’t what we expected, for it to be something so serious again.

“He’s just had his second lot of spinal injections today, so he’s still quite ill and throwing up.”

Mr Phillips met his now wife Nicole when they were teenagers working at McDonalds.

The pair have been through thick and thin together for more than two decades and have both quit their job to navigate the current obstacle in front of them.

“They’re as good as they can be at the moment,” Ms McPherson said.

“They’re both just trying to stay positive. They’re the type of people who will try to be strong for everyone else around them.”

Ms McPherson said her brother was a gentle soul with a “heart of gold”, but was ready to fight and beat Leukemia.

Nathan and Nicole Phillips.

“He’s the softest, kindest, most gentle person you’ll ever meet.

“There’s not one person I know who doesn’t like him. He gets along with everyone and is so friendly. He’s just a big teddy bear really.”

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family cover ongoing medical bills as well as their impending stay in Melbourne.

“Anyone who knows them knows just how loving, caring and generous the both of them are,” Ms McPherson said.

“They don’t expect anything from anyone and they had to take a bit of convincing for help. They do deserve it.”