Her father, John Spencer, has non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He was diagnosed with the blood disease in 2004, the same year that the family travelled to Queensland so Mr Spencer and his wife Cindy's son Luke could swim with the dolphins, thanks to Make-a-Wish.

Luke, 16, has severe epilepsy and can't walk or talk.

It's been a tough road for the Prospect family as they've fought to not only look after Luke, but also to keep Mr Spencer going.

"I've been fighting it for 10 years in November, I keep getting rid of it, but it keeps coming back," Mr Spencer said.

He was first diagnosed after developing pain in the stomach and 12 months ago it also developed in the palate of his mouth.

"I get very tired," Mr Spencer said.

"The radiation in this side of the face (the right) means the nerves aren't right and I've only got about 85 to 90 per cent of my taste buds.

"Everyone says how can you keep kicking and the doctor says I'm a miracle, but you've just got to stay positive and keep at it.

"A lot of times I didn't see these two (Kate and Luke) grow up. I spent days in hospital at a time, but having the family around has helped me keep going."

Kate, 19, said her dad was an inspiration.

"I know he's found it very difficult with Luke, because he is very time consuming, but Mum and Dad never miss anything," Kate said.

"The hardest thing is just seeing him (Dad) like it.

"When Dad was really sick he went away to Hobart for a month for his stem cell transplant . . . I used to go down there and it was winter and it was really cold, and you'd just have to sit with him because that's all you could really do.

"For Luke it's very hard too. Lukey just idolises Dad."

Mrs Spencer said Luke often screamed when he couldn't see his dad.

"I went on a shopping trip with him once and the dear little man screamed the whole time," Mrs Spencer said.

Mr Spencer said Luke went with him wherever he went now.

Kate said to her, Father's Day was about appreciating her dad's support and was like "counting your lucky stars".

"Luke and I are so lucky to have him and have a father when some don't," she said.

"It's been a fair chunk of my life that Dad's struggled with this and the fact that he's still here, is a celebration of 10 years."

Mr Spencer said the best gift he could have for Father's Day was spending it with his family.

"It's not about gifts," he said.

"When it's a special thing like Christmas, or Father's Day or Mother's Day, there's nothing like having family around."