Support my brother Ben through his BMT
Donation protected
Please consider joining us in supporting my brother Ben on his journey to complete healing. He has Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). CGD is a rare genetic primary immunodeficiency. His immune system isn’t able to function properly making him susceptible to life threatening bacterial and fungal infections. It also causes an increase of inflammation throughout the body.
Ben has had CGD since birth and has had many serious illnesses and hospitalisations due to the disease. This disease has caused him to contract a rare fungal infection which has now stopped reacting to the current treatment. Because of this, his doctors feel the only cure is a bone marrow transplant (BMT). With the bone marrow transplant Ben will be completely cured of the CGD & the life-threatening fungal infection.
Because the disease is rare, Ben cannot have the transplant performed here in Australia. Ben will need to travel to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda Maryland, USA.
The journey starts in September. Ben will be admitted and undergo a conditioning regimen to wipe out his immune system. It’s an intense process that will make him feel very sick. After this, he will receive his donor cells. He will then be in isolation at the hospital until the bone marrow has engrafted. Once his immune system is functioning enough, he will be released from the hospital. He will then need to remain close to NIH for a period of time, approx. 2-3 months.
The BMT process will take approximately 4 months. During this time, he will need to take a medical leave of absence from work. He is also required to have a care taker with him at all times. Our mother, Rose and his partner Alex, will take turns being at NIH with him. The BMT procedure itself is covered by NIH but housing, flights and other expenses of having two households will not be sustainable. The entire process will end up costing Ben close to $20,000. Ben is also an employer to 4 people and he is doing his best to keep his business viable and his employees in employment. Due to his illness he cannot work and is not currently receiving an income.
The BMT is a very scary procedure and nothing is guaranteed.
You can follow his journey on Facebook at Bone Marrow Donor for Ben.
Thank you!
Ben has had CGD since birth and has had many serious illnesses and hospitalisations due to the disease. This disease has caused him to contract a rare fungal infection which has now stopped reacting to the current treatment. Because of this, his doctors feel the only cure is a bone marrow transplant (BMT). With the bone marrow transplant Ben will be completely cured of the CGD & the life-threatening fungal infection.
Because the disease is rare, Ben cannot have the transplant performed here in Australia. Ben will need to travel to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda Maryland, USA.
The journey starts in September. Ben will be admitted and undergo a conditioning regimen to wipe out his immune system. It’s an intense process that will make him feel very sick. After this, he will receive his donor cells. He will then be in isolation at the hospital until the bone marrow has engrafted. Once his immune system is functioning enough, he will be released from the hospital. He will then need to remain close to NIH for a period of time, approx. 2-3 months.
The BMT process will take approximately 4 months. During this time, he will need to take a medical leave of absence from work. He is also required to have a care taker with him at all times. Our mother, Rose and his partner Alex, will take turns being at NIH with him. The BMT procedure itself is covered by NIH but housing, flights and other expenses of having two households will not be sustainable. The entire process will end up costing Ben close to $20,000. Ben is also an employer to 4 people and he is doing his best to keep his business viable and his employees in employment. Due to his illness he cannot work and is not currently receiving an income.
The BMT is a very scary procedure and nothing is guaranteed.
You can follow his journey on Facebook at Bone Marrow Donor for Ben.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Noah Cassar-Borg
Organizer
Calderwood, NSW
Rose Cassar
Beneficiary