Rob Friend

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.

2/25/17 Rob passed away peacefully early this morning. We will be having a graveside service for him at Rolling Oaks Cemetery on Del Rio Blvd. In Port St. Lucie on Tuesday 2/28/17 at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Treasure Coast Hospice who took such beautiful care of him or the Rob Friend Memorial Scholarship fund at Temple Etz-Chayim. Thank you for all of your love, caring and support, it has meant so much to us during this time. Love, Lisa



Rob was diagnosed in early June 2016 with pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to his liver. Our good friend and family physician sent him for diagnostic testing as soon as he felt abdominal discomfort. Some of his neuroendocrine cells in his pancreas had mutated and become cancerous. The cells had spread to his liver. It was very silent, and unexpected because Rob had been in good health. In March he had recently attended a health fair at our school, but tests had not signaled anything wrong.

Since his diagnosis, he has pursued the best medical care available. We worked with Moffitt Cancer center in Tampa, Fl and our local Hematology Oncology Associates of the Treasure Coast. He tried several chemotherapy regimens, and each one worked for a while but then stopped working.  His type of cancer is very aggressive and tumor cells are able to develop defense systems to communicate and protect themselves.

By December, our Moffitt Oncologist recommended trying immunotherapy and also began the process of getting Rob to qualify for entry into a clinical trial. His biopsy showed he was able to participate, but shortly after his initial immunotherapy treatment his liver began to struggle to work as it should. He has been admitted to Moffitt Cancer hospital and has been supervised by the palliative care team. 

Rob has been brave and is now facing his biggest challenge,  coming back home to spend his remaining time with loved ones. Andrew, his son, is devoted to spending time to help his Dad get through this difficult time. I am spending as much time with him as possible to give him comfort and love.  If you know Rob, you know how precious his family and friends are to him. It will be hard for him to remain in contact, but please feel free to comment on this site and read updates I will post as often as I can.

Love, Lisa