Help Ben get back on his feet

Hello everyone,

I want to introduce you to an incredible man named Ben, whom I had the privilege of meeting one day after work. We shared a meal together where I learned that he has faced and continues to face several big challenges. He doesn’t have any family in his life that is actively in contact with him, so I'm reaching out to all of you with the hope that we can make a meaningful difference in his life.

Ben is 67, currently homeless, and faces numerous health issues that make his situation incredibly challenging. He suffers from neuropathy in his feet, which causes him immense pain and makes it difficult for him to walk for extended periods. On top of that, he's battling brain cancer and has lived with type 1 Diabetes for 25 years. These conditions have made his life incredibly difficult, but his tender and warm heart persists.

One of the most concerning aspects of Ben's situation is that he cannot afford to buy insulin on his own. To manage his diabetes, he shares a limited supply with another individual in his tent community. This isn’t sustainable and can create further issues down the road if not addressed.

I’m launching this GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Ben to help him with the following:

Secure Housing Through the Winter: Ben has been offered the opportunity to stay in a safe and warm place during the harsh winter months through the generosity of another individual he met. This would cost $200 a month, and it's a lifeline that could save him from the brutal conditions on the streets. He currently lives in a tent community but after seeing his tent, it’s clear that it won’t last the winter nor provide basic protection from the cold conditions in the coming months.

Groceries: I want to ensure that Ben has access to food and essentials to get him set up as he transitions to more stable living conditions. Your donations will help him stock up on foods, drinks, and basic utensils.

Basic Medical Supplies: Ben's health conditions requires regular medical attention and supplies. Your contributions will help cover the cost of essential resources, including insulin and all diabetes related supplies, to ensure he can manage his diabetes and hopefully get some help with his cancer diagnosis.

Clothes: Ben could use some warm clothing to endure the winter months. He currently only has one jacket, two shirts, one pair of pants, and a single pair of tattered shoes to his name. Ideally I'd like to get him a jacket or two and winter-specific clothing (e.g. thermal socks, beanie, etc.).

I have been and will continue to check in with him every day to make sure he’s back on the right path and can get some stability in his life. This includes identifying some form of consistent income, ideally through SSI benefits.

Your support, no matter how small, will help him access necessities that many of us take for granted. Please consider making a donation, and if you're unable to contribute financially, please consider sharing this with friends and/or family. Non-financial donations would also be graciously accepted. My DMs are open if anyone has questions or suggestions on how best to help him. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and generosity.

*Note*: I asked Ben for his permission to share the details of his conditions. He was comfortable with me letting you all know of his situation, but asked to not upload his picture since he isn’t comfortable with how he looks in his current state.

- Elias