Yorkshire father with three months to live appeals for help to fund 'last chance' transplant in Geneva

A father in desperate turmoil as he’s given three months to live has issued an impassioned plea to the public to help fund a “last chance” at survival with treatment in Geneva.
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Bingley’s Ben Wolfenden, born with Cystic Fibrosis, underwent a lifesaving lung transplant last year but said a devastating dose of medicine meant his body rejected it.

Now, after a specialist in Switzerland agreed to try again, the 35-year-old is calling for the public’s support in funding his “last hope” at survival.

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He has no choice, said Mr Wolfenden, but to ask for help if he is to see his children grow up.

Bingley's Ben Wolfenden with wife Daisy, son Max, six, and daughter Ivy, threeBingley's Ben Wolfenden with wife Daisy, son Max, six, and daughter Ivy, three
Bingley's Ben Wolfenden with wife Daisy, son Max, six, and daughter Ivy, three

“As a couple, Daisy and I have spent the last few weeks talking to Max about the fact that his Daddy is dying,” he said.

“Imagine trying to tell your six-year-old you might not be there for Christmas.

“I just don’t have the financial resources to do all of this alone and I now rely on the kindness of friends and strangers.”

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Mr Wolfenden, owner of Leeds-based digital marketing agency Visibilis and father to Max, six, and Ivy, three, was born with Cystic Fibrosis, two years after his sister died to the disease at the age of 16.

He has managed it through his adult life but his lungs started to deteriorate in his 30s as he developed diabetes, and then in February last year he contracted swine flu, which sent him on a downward spiral “hurtling towards death”.

A last minute lung transplant saved his life but just five weeks after transplant a ‘miscalculation’ in anti-rejection drugs set off a domino effect, and he is now in severe chronic rejection with just three months to live.

He has explored all options here, Mr Wolfenden said, with his last hope being treatment abroad, taking up residency in Geneva and funding health insurance, accommodation and travel. With hope at a second transplant, he said, it could save his life and gift him years with his wife and two children.

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“This is my last chance to see my children grow up, meet their first boyfriend or girlfriend, see them flourish and deliver that proud speech on their wedding day,” he said.

“I want them to know that I explored every possible avenue to stay with them for as long as I can - like any parent would.”

A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Wolfenden has raised nearly £93,000 towards its £100,000 goal within just three days, as more than 2,000 friends and strangers back his plea for support.

With the hope of a second transplant in Geneva, he would need to take up residency abroad to be added to the list, and would also need to cover the costs of accommodation, health insurance, post-surgery care and travel.

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