Friend launches fundraising mission to help a brave Harborough man battling cancer

A dedicated nurse is launching a vital fundraising mission to help a brave young Market Harborough man battling cancer.

It’s all systems go for Lisa Barnes as she pulls out all the stops to get behind her good friend Ben Johnson, 33 – and give him a much better life as he undergoes trailblazing treatment.

Lisa, of Kibworth Harcourt, told the Harborough Mail: “I’m determined to do all I can to support Ben – and help eradicate the horrible pain he suffers every day.

“He’s a fantastic chap, a really lovely person.

“Ben’s been through some very tough times over the last three or four years and he deserves all the help we can give him.”

The experienced cancer nurse added: “Our fundraising page has got off to a fine start and raised thousands.

“But it’s started to plateau as we run through our immediate family and friends.

“So I’d call on everyone in the Market Harborough area and beyond to back us as much as they can.”

Lisa said gutsy Ben has undergone extensive surgery to remove a killer tumour wrapped around his heart.

“Ben’s a master carpenter.

“He was with his girlfriend working out in New Zealand building wooden-framed houses three years ago.

“His work permit expired and he had to go and get a health check to extend his special visa,” she said.

“That’s when they found this tumour.

“They said they couldn’t treat him so he had to fly back to the UK and be treated here.

“Ben had several rounds of chemotherapy which caused sepsis and very nearly killed him.

“Very sadly the cancer returned in his lungs and chest wall this year - and the NHS have written him off.

“On top of this devastating diagnosis, Ben’s also suffered severe nerve damage from his cancer treatment and the immune-suppressant medication he has to take.

“Every day he suffers horrific pain across his right arm, right side of his chest and the right half of his upper back,” said Lisa.

“The only time Ben doesn’t feel pain is when he’s lying totally still.

“But if he so much as reaches for a cup of tea he’s wracked by pain straight away – it’s just terrible.

“It’s clearly impossible to keep still all of the time - and when he moves around Ben said it’s as if he’s being hit by a barrage of wasp stings.

“I can only imagine how agonising this must be for him.

“He’d love to work but it just wipes him out.

“After being given a very poor prognosis by the NHS, Ben has carried out exhaustive research into alternative treatments for both his chronic pain and his cancer.

“He has spoken to top doctors and specialists as well as fellow cancer sufferers all over the world.

“Ben’s now embarked on a strict diet and a combination of medication and supplements.

“He’s also enrolled in a self-funded trial with London’s Care Oncology Clinic.

“It’s run by oncologists who offer cancer treatment other than chemo and radiotherapy,” said Lisa.

“Ben is also having other treatments that are proving to be very effective against cancer.

“These include vitamin C infusions, hyperbaric therapy and ultrasound therapy among others.

“All of these treatments have been approved and are encouraged by Ben's GP and oncologist.

“They are also proven to help combat chronic nerve pain in many people. “But they are not available via the NHS and are very expensive.

“So I’ve launched a gofundme page to raise money to help pay for Ben’s treatments.

“I’m also planning to stage special events, such as raffles and sponsored runs, to help generate the cash that we need.

“Ben, who now lives on his own in a flat in Market Harborough, didn’t want to go down this route.

“But he’s realised that we’ve got to take this action, we have no choice,” said Lisa.

“Ben’s such a brilliant, positive, upbeat young man.

“He’s got a ready smile, he always tries to look on the bright side and he’s incredibly tenacious and resilient and great fun given his illness and the pain he’s in almost all the time.

“So please donate what you can this Christmas and New Year to help us raise the money to fund his treatment.

“We’ve already brought in over £5,300 which is fantastic.

“But obviously the more we can raise the more of this vital ground-breaking treatment we can secure for Ben – and if anyone deserves it he does.”

If you would like to help you can get behind Ben yourself on Lisa’s fundraising page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-ben-with-cancer-treatment