Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
A young father who felt a pain in his shoulder passed away within two weeks of receiving his diagnosis.
Ben Mitchell, 38, worked as a vineyard manager for Taylors Wines in Auburn, South Australia and had been suffering from shoulder pain for about a year, after tearing a muscle.
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It was only until the pain started to spread to his back in November and December when he decided to get it checked.
Mitchell was initially taken to Clare hospital and was then transferred to Adelaide's Lyell McEwin Hospital to undergo a number of tests.
The tests revealed a cancer in his peritoneal, 'a thin, delicate sheet that lines the inside wall of the abdomen and extends over the bladder and rectum'.
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Doctors told him that he had two weeks to live, even with treatment.
The father-of-two turned down chemotherapy and sadly passed away on 8 March.
"Ben was diagnosed with cancer in the last days of December and immediately put into end of life care," a GoFundMe on behalf of his wife Johanna Mitchell and her two kids reads.
"Though they should have had a lifetime together, Ben courageously held on for longer than expected to spend precious days with his family.
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"This sudden and devastating loss has hit all those who knew Ben with such deep sadness, shock and with the question ‘Why them?!’ on everyone’s mind.
"These two genuinely beautiful and selfless humans have worked tirelessly to build their life, love and family together and with this tragedy, their legacy of love and compassion lives on, forever etched in the hearts of those they touched.
"Ben’s warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for his family endeared him to all who knew him, leaving a profound void in the hearts of those he touched.
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"Now, as his wife, Joh, and their two boys, Hugo and Thomas, grapple with the immense loss of their husband and father, they are faced with the daunting challenge of navigating life without his presence.
"In this time of profound sorrow and uncertainty, we come together as a community to offer support to Joh and their sweet boys.
"Your generous donations will provide much-needed relief and assistance as they navigate this challenging journey of grief and rebuilding."
The GoFundMe has raised AU $30,700 of an AU $10,000 target, at the time of writing.
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Anish Vij