A young father from Australia was given a devastating diagnosis after noticing some pain in his shoulder.
Ben Mitchell had been suffering with slight pain for about a year after suffering a tear in his muscle.
The 38-year-old, who worked as a vineyard manager for Taylors Wines in Auburn, decided to call his doctors after the pain began to spread in November 2023.
Ben was initially taken to Clare hospital for an examination before being transferred to Adelaide's Lyell McEwin Hospital for a number of tests.
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But Ben was left shocked after he was diagnosed with cancer in his peritoneal, which is 'a thin, delicate sheet that lines the inside wall of the abdomen and extends over the bladder and rectum'.
"They should have had a lifetime together"
Medical professionals gave the father the devastating news that he would have two weeks to live, even with treatment.
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Ben decided he didn't want to have chemotherapy and passed away on March 8 this year.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Ben's wife, Johanna Mitchell, and their two kids in the wake of his death.
The fundraiser said: "Ben was diagnosed with cancer in the last days of December and immediately put into end of life care.
"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."
It continued: "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 $38,655 of its 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 the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature.
Callum Jones