I am husband and father of my lovely wife and four gorgeous kids. I won't be with them much longer. I ask for help to get them through this.
Dunedin, Otago
This is hard for me to ask but I need your help, please.
I was born with Cystic Fibrosis(CF) and over the course of my short life came close to death several times. In 2015 I flatlined and briefly died. Miraculously I came back intact. Early 2016, close to death, I received a double lung transplant.
This gift gave me time to meet my wife, her 2 kids, marry and through IVF, have 2 more babies.
Two months after last baby’s arrival in Aug 2024 I became unwell. In October 2024 I was admitted to Dunedin hospital with pneumonia and rhinovirus(common cold). Few weeks later tests confirmed I was in chronic lung rejection. Urgently flown to Auckland Hospital (NZ’s transplant specialists). Lung function had dropped 108% to 35%, where I had two specific treatments to halt the rejection but they failed. I was devastated, Gen flew up with baby Bella to support and comfort me.
We have a young family. Our babies are 18, 9, 3 yrs and 8 months.
My wife took extended maternity leave for our last baby. All of her first milestones would be my wife’s lasts.
I feel like I stole a lot of that time from them as Gen had to return to work early to help keep us afloat.
Jan 2025, I had tests to assess eligibility for re-transplant. My case was presented to the transplant committee. I was declined and given weeks-months to live.
I feel so helpless.
I need your help to help my family, for us to make memories with our kids before I go, and to help cover living costs so that Gen has time with the kids through this.
You would be
helping me make memories, keepsakes with and for the children and my wife
giving me time with Gen and the kids
giving Gen time to help our children through their grief and hers as well
living costs and funeral costs
Extending end date and setting a goal 22 May 2025
Hello lovely people,
I have updated the closing date of this page and set a goal. Reason, it has been clear in the last few days that I need to prioritise my physical and emotional health so that I can support my children through the most heart-breaking thing ever. Our beautiful Bella has spent the last few days crying on and off for no reason, she seems to settle and be her smiling self when we are playing her build-a-bear message from Daddy. Hearing his voice seems to calm her.
Our three-year-old is very similar, he walks around the house clinging to his, he changes between being highly emotional or hitting.
Yesterday our 9year old had his first grief therapy session, he has Autism (recently diagnosed) and mixing between angry and tears.
18-year-old is being stoic, while being extremely protective over me, watching me eat and fussing. Fine young man he is.
I am beyond thankful for the support we have received so far.
The majority is allocated to cover Rupert's funeral cost.
Further support will allow me time to support the children and myself without the worry of trying to make ends meet.
Hi Ben, thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated. If you would also share Rupert's page that would be wonderful.
Thank you for your support. It is much appreciated. If you could please share Rupert's page that would be wonderful.
Thank you for your support. It is greatly appreciated. If you could share Rupert's page, it would be wonderful.
Thank you for your support. It is greatly appreciated. If you could also share Rupert's page that would be wonderful.
Thank you for your support. It is greatly appreciated. If you could also share Rupert's page that would be wonderful.
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