He has spoken to troops in the Australian Air Force, given talks at detention centres and jails in the USA and inspires high school and university students across the world with his message of hope.

Michael does this while still holding a vital role in the local community as the Westpac bank manager in Coffs Harbour.

He has played representative baseball for Australia, accepted a baseball contract with a USA college in his teenage years and now coaches the Australian under-18s EXPO’S team who will compete in America in June.

His aim in life – to show people how to appreciate their lives by sharing his story of hope and determination. His story has led him to be one of the most inspirational speakers in Australia and the US.

And what a story he has to share.

At 11 months, Michael was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a huge primary cancer that spread aggressively throughout his body.

The doctors said he had a

4 per cent chance of survival and told his parents to go home and spend the little time they had left with their son.

“Instead, my mum grabbed hold of that 4 per cent and held onto it,” Michael said.

“We just kept battling through the treatment. The doctors used to put the needles in my head so I could use both my hands to play catch in the hospital.

“My parents stayed positive throughout all my treatment, even through treatment with a drug which burnt my internal and external organs, resulting in a transfer from the oncology ward to the burns unit.

“Twenty-five people were treated with the drug, and 24 died – I was the only one who survived.”

However, the treatment has left him with permanent and serious damage to his heart, lungs and immune system, and since being in remission he has suffered a heart attack and ongoing health challenges.

But these setbacks have only made him stronger and more determined to share his story of hope.

“I just want to help people see that if you put your heart and mind in to it, anything in life is possible,” Michael said.

“To be able to stand up on stage and talk from the heart and demonstrate to people you can achieve what you want out of life is such a wonderful gift.”