NHL prospect Austin Roest has shared an emotional update about his girlfriend, Milara “Milly” Okabe, after she was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma. The 22-year-old Nashville Predators prospect posted photos from Okabe’s hospital bed and said he would stay beside her through treatment. Okabe, also 22, is a former competitive figure skater who now teaches children to skate. She has also spoken about the shock of the diagnosis and thanked the people supporting her. A GoFundMe has been started for Okabe and her family as they deal with treatment and related costs at this time.
Who is Milara “Milly” Okabe?
Milara Okabe, known as Milly, is a 22-year-old Canadian figure skater and skating coach. The Okotoks Skating Club lists her as a pre-junior coordinator, with coaching work across several skating programs. Her skating background goes back years. She competed at Skate Canada events and was part of the 2020 Alberta Sectionals, where she won the novice pairs title, according to the club. Her public skating record also shows years of competition before she moved into coaching.A fundraiser organized by her friend Kristin LeDuc says skating remains a major part of her life. It describes her as someone who now enjoys teaching children after years of competing herself. The page also says she is close to her friends and family.Okabe has shared very little publicly beyond her own message about the diagnosis. She wrote: “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 added: “Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way. I’m so extremely grateful.”
Austin Roest stands by Milara “Milly” Okabe
Roest and Okabe have been together since June 2023, according to People. Roest, a right wing from British Columbia, was selected by the Nashville Predators in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He has played in the Predators’ minor-league system, including with the Milwaukee Admirals and Atlanta Gladiators.After Okabe’s diagnosis, Roest posted two hospital photos and wrote: “Milly, I don’t even know what to say,” Roest wrote. “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.”The GoFundMe page says Okabe and her family are dealing with treatment, travel, accommodation, medication, fertility preservation and other unexpected costs. It says, “she and her loved ones are now facing a journey no one could ever be prepared for.”The page also says: “Milara is so much more than her diagnosis,” and describes her as “a kind, strong and selfless person who means so much to everyone around her.”