Donate to help Ben Phipps

Hi, my name is Dani Serrano. Leanne Galati and I have started this fund raising campaign to help our friend Ben Phipps.

A little over a year has passed since we shared a magical post-pandemic restart of the Festival de Jerez with our friend, Ben Phipps. And a little under a year has gone by since Ben was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive and non-curable brain tumor. Ben underwent chemo and radiation treatment last summer to stave the growth of the tumor. Those treatments did their job, for a while. However, a recent MRI indicated a renewal in the tumor’s growth. Ben has started immunotherapy and is taking steroids to reduce swelling and increase the quality of his life, but there are no treatments available to stop the tumors growth. He is still feeling well but is noticing slowly reducing functions on his left side, most notably in his left hand. A not unexpected but really tough development which Ben is facing with the same resolve he has exhibited since his original diagnosis: to live the rest of his life simply and well.

During the past several months, Ben has not been idle - continuing to run, including a half marathon shortly after finishing treatment and a recent 5K; returning as an active guitarist in the local flamenco community; hiking, camping, and spending time with Emma and Hudson; diving into healthy cooking adventures (especially his favorite…soups); and finally returning to Spain again for the 2023 Festival de Jerez. This time he left the guitar behind and pulled out the dancing shoes to learn some new bulerias patadas and soak in show after show.

In a recent conversation following his MRI, Ben discussed his determination to focus on the present, and continue to fill that present, as long as he is able, with the things that matter most to him: hiking, camping, going to the Peninsula again, perhaps visiting family on the East coast…and any and all things that involve spending time with Emma and Hudson.

Ben expressed a “truly epic tidal wave of gratitude” towards the outpouring of support provided him through a GoFundMe campaign to help defray living expenses during his treatments last summer. As soon as the campaign goal was met, he asked that donations be ended. In addition to being talented and determined, Ben is humble and thoughtful.

Due to his condition, he has been unable to re-start his painting business, so as his friends, we are reaching out to his community, and beyond, to help make Ben’s upcoming present as meaningful as possible and to create special moments for him and memories for Emma and Hudson to carry forward.

Contributions will be used to defray expenses associated with making those moments a reality. The goal for this campaign is $5000.00