Story
Many of you will know that our lovely Ben/Mr Jenkins is currently unwell with cancer. We were all so overwhelmed by how much Ben’s fundraiser raised in order to allow Ben to undergo immunotherapy on top of his chemotherapy. We are now looking to raise more money so Ben can continue this treatment.
10 staff members from Ben’s workplace, King’s School Hove, are running the Brighton marathon/10k on Sunday 7th April 2024 in order to raise money for this cause. We will split any donations 50/50 between Ben’s fundraiser and The Royal Marsden (who have played a major role in supporting him, including hosting his wedding to Louie).
Please donate whatever you can to support Ben and others in a similar position.
Please follow this link to read Ben’s full story. Ben’s sister is also posting updates - https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-contribute-towards-treatment-for-ben?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-169816758205-a6bdda64729011ee&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
Ben’s story in full:
Ben is a secondary school teacher and is 35 years old.
Ben is a very kind and caring person and intuitive to people's feelings, which is why he has many friends, from university, work and his travels around the world. His huge personality is infectious and he loves to make people laugh - always putting other peoples feelings before his.
Ben has overcome many obstacles in his life, with this being the biggest obstacle he has faced so far. He is very strong minded and focused on life and how you should conduct yourself with compassion and empathy. He has a passion for teaching and cares so much about the students he teaches and staff alike.
In February 2023 Ben was diagnosed with a large benign tumour in his chest/lung region, after previously falling ill with flu-like symptoms.
After additional diagnostic tests and biopsies, Ben was unfortunately told a result the previous diagnosis was incorrect and that he has an aggressive malignant tumour in his chest cavity called Liposarcoma. Liposarcoma is an extremely rare form of cancer found within fatty tissue of the body.
Since this diagnosis, Ben has suffered from various issues; from his vein collapsing in his arm (whilst receiving chemotherapy) which is still being treated and causing infection, to SCVO, fluid on his heart (which then needed to be drained) blood clots in his lung, swelling and the tumour then pressing on vital organs, his lung was deflated causing difficulty with breathing with constant worry for his health.
After the diagnosis we were advised that he could receive chemotherapy with the view to shrink the tumour and thereafter have an operation to remove most or all of the tumour, however would be under surveillance for the rest of his life.
Things took a turn for the worse and Ben developed Sepsis and was put on Optiflow (high volume of oxygen) in the HD Unit, only just pulling through. He was then given the devastating news that no further treatment could be given due to him being so weak and the size of the tumour, as it had grown very rapidly, the only option was for him to be transferred to a Hospice for end of life care.
Whilst admitted to the Royal Marsden Chelsea, Ben married his Partner of 6 years Louie. Louie has been an absolute rock to Ben and throughout this terrible ordeal he has given us, as a family, incredible support. His love for Ben is unconditional and we did not only gain a brother in law but have had the pleasure and honour of welcoming Louie into our family.
After 10 days in the Hospice Ben was discharged to be cared for at home by his husband Louie. With sheer determination, willpower and strength, an army of friends and family behind him, prayers from people we did not even know, and an astonishing miracle, Ben began to improve and showed amazing signs of recovery. Due to his determination he was offered further chemotherapy treatment.
Ben is doing everything in his power to heal himself with supplements, diet, meditation, gratitude and is slowly making progress.
During this time, and with the help and support of amazing friends and family, we have been researching alternative treatment and have found that there are options that can help with this terrible disease, Liposarcoma.
Due to the trauma that Ben has endured, the reason for our fundraising is to try to give Ben an alternative treatment to the harsh toxicness of Chemotherapy which plays havoc with both the mind and the body.
Although Ben is now preparing for his fifth round of Chemotherapy, the alternative treatment is called Immunotherapy (specifically T Cells) - it can be used in conjunction with his medication and Chemotherapy if necessary - of which Ben has been on the strongest chemotherapy drugs possible. The cost for the treatment is £40,000 for 8 injections. The T Cells have been known to help with tumours and shrink them. This treatment will hopefully enable Ben to undergo an operation that was initially promised to him to remove the tumour. We are hoping to start this in the next month.
After this experience, which nobody ever thinks will happen to them, as a family we have vowed to try to campaign and fundraise as much as possible for cancer charities. If we are lucky enough to raise over and above the funds required, any surplus funds will be donated to Cancer Research & The Marsden Hospital.
We are, and will always be, thankful and grateful to the Marsden and all the NHS staff, we have had dealings with who have shown us all true compassion, empathy, helping us through this dreadful time and given us hope and faith.
Please donate if you can, any small amount would help, we would be eternally grateful.
UPDATE - 24th October 2023:
Ben started the new infusion treatment last month and so far he has had no major side affects. We very much hope that he has responded to the treatment well and are consistently positive that the treatment will begin to work too.
We are now told that he will undergo more Chemotherapy soon, a different drug to the one previously which will be less invasive. Once finished we will begin the treatment again.
Ben has been incredibly strong and positive throughout this awful time but has, as one would expect struggled mentally and physically with the situation at times. He has been in and out of hospital with more infections and fluid on his lungs, it hasn’t been easy for him but he still remains to be determined, strong minded and not let it beat his spirit!
He is, as we all are, as a family continually grateful for all the support, love, care kindness we have received. The donations and messages have been a beacon of light for us all and have made a huge impact.
We will be sharing the fundraiser again, as Ben may need more infusions treatment at some point. However, we are also still determined to raise as much awareness of this treatment and more donations to support The Royal Marsden, Martlets, and Cancer Research UK.
Thank you again for all the support. We would be grateful if you are able to share the page among friends, family and across social media platforms, our new target is £65,000.
