By Sammie Jones-
A British father of two young children is relying on donations from the public for a “last chance” to get life-saving surgery in Geneva.
Ben Wolfenden, 37, from Bingley, Bradford, has raised more than £100,000 towards a second lung transplant after an impassioned plea through fundraising website GoFundMe.
Mr Wolfenden, has cystic fibrosis, and required an emergency lung transplant in 2019 after developing diabetes and catching swine flu, but said that during his recovery a miscalculation was made regarding his anti-rejection drugs.
A “catastrophic miscalculation” with his anti-rejection medication, which helps Ben’s body accept his new organs, his body began to attack the new lungs.
Ben, 35, has now been given just three months to live and is on end-of-life care – as he claims the NHS have said they will not perform a second lung transplant, which would save his life.
“I am bed bound, oxygen dependent and on palliative care, dying in front of my children. I can’t walk to the toilet, never mind getting to my son’s football practice or playing with my daughter”, Ben said.
He added: “We were then dealt another devastating blow. Even though the NHS has admitted, on record, that they are culpable for my failing lungs, the board rejected my appeal for another transplant.”
An expert in Switzerland has raised his hopes, after efforts to achieve the transplant in the Uk failed. He said in a press release:
“We found a professor in Geneva who is willing to put me on their transplant list, so that’s my final chance,” Mr Wolfenden said in an emotional video appeal.
Mr Wolfenden, who is married to wife Daisy and has two children, six-year-old Max and three-year-old Ivy, will need to take up residency in Geneva to be added to the transplant list, with costs such as accommodation, health insurance and post-surgery care to be covered by the money raised.
“This is my last chance to see my children grow up, meet their first boyfriend/girlfriend, see them flourish and deliver that proud speech on their wedding day,” Mr Wolfenden wrote on his fundraising page.
“As a couple, Daisy and I have spent the last few weeks talking to Max about the fact that his Daddy is dying. Imagine trying to tell your six-year-old you might not be there for Christmas.”
Writers in Northern England have been sharing the story and other where he owns a digital agency in Leeds
Mr Wolfenden’s target currently stands at £175,000 – his fundraising page can be found at uk.gofundme.com/f/ben-wolfendens-final-chance.