Fundraiser launched for young Victoria father diagnosed with stage 4 cancer

An online fundraiser has been launched for a young father in Victoria who has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. 

The GoFundMe campaign for Benjamin Roper was launched by his sister-in-law Tiffany Kosmas in an effort to help with essential needs like housing, groceries, transportation, medical-related costs and caring for his three kids who are ages five, 11 and 17. 

Kosmas says that instead of focusing on being a dad, Roper is facing uncertainty, financial burdens and hardship she wants to see eased during this difficult time for their family. 

She told Victoria Buzz that Roper recently had to quit his job and move from Nanaimo to Victoria to be closer to his kids when he got sick. He ended up moving in with her to allow their kids to be closer to him and to help him through his treatments. 

His former employer is reportedly aware of his condition and has donated a generous $500 to his GoFundMe in hopes he will get better. 

“Ben is dealing with pain and has a third surgery coming up soon and more treatments after,” Kosmas explained. “So he is unable to work right now.”

She describes her brother-in-law as a gentle and kind man who will help anyone in need. 

“He’s emotionally intelligent and loves being a dad,” she said. “The kids absolutely adore [their] dad. He’s always doing something fun with them and taking them out.” 

Kosmas noted that Roper and her sister aren’t together anymore, and haven’t been for some time, but she still considers him family because of his integrity and caliber of his character. 

“I’m grateful to him, that he is willing to put himself out there while also dealing with something so difficult and demanding,” she said. 

“Ben is putting on a brave face for everyone but behind the scenes when I talk to him privately he’s scared and the financial insecurity is the hardest part.”

She says that Roper is worried about being able to provide for everyone more than he’s worried about his own health.

Kosmas asks that if people are able to, that they donate to helping her brother-in-law and their family in their time of need, and for those who are unable to donate, she says sharing this fundraiser would mean so much. 

“I put the goal at $4,000 to not overwhelm anybody but personally I would love to see them get as much as they possibly can,” said Kosmas.   

“We just don’t know what’s going to happen and if he has no financial stress during this time I would think it would hopefully help him get better. At the very least it would allow him to spend the rest of his days with his family without worrying about his finances.”

Kosmas wants to extend her gratitude and thanks to all who are able to donate. 

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with our family during one of the most difficult times we’ve ever faced,” she said. 

As of this publication, $800 has been raised for Roper’s GoFundMe campaign from just four donations.