Benjamin ran a vineyard and had a slight pain in his shoulder for more than a year. Then the pain spread – and doctors told him he had just two weeks to live

A father of two and winemaker awaiting surgery for a persistent shoulder injury was diagnosed with shock and died suddenly a few weeks later, at the age of 38.

Ben Mitchell, vineyard manager at Taylors Wines in Auburn, South Australia, had been suffering from shoulder pain for about a year after tearing a muscle and planned to undergo surgery after bottling the 2024 vintage.

But in November and December the pain worsened and began to spread to his back.

He was taken to Clare Hospital and then transferred to Adelaide’s Lyell McEwin Hospital for a series of tests that revealed cancer in the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdomen.

The stunned doctors told him the heartbreaking news and only gave him a maximum of two weeks to live, even with treatment.

Mitchell decided to refuse chemotherapy and miraculously managed to survive to see her four-year-old son compete in Little Athletics before passing away on March 8.

This passionate footballer and sports fan continued walking 800 meters every morning until the last week of his life.

His wife, Johanna, said he stuck to his “go hard or go home” motto even as he battled the cruel disease.

She remembered her husband as a “people person” who “enjoyed meeting new people” and being of service to his local community.

“I will remember her infectious laugh, her inclusivity and her kindness,” Ms. Mitchell said. The advertiser.

“He had a way of making people feel welcome, always wanted to chat and was genuinely interested in people and their lives.”

A GoFundMe set up for Mr Mitchell’s family by his friend Kate Sigut, who said he “passed away after what has been an unexpected and heartbreaking whirlwind of events”.

“Although they should have spent a lifetime together, Ben bravely held out longer than expected to spend a few precious days with his family,” Ms Sigut wrote.

“This sudden and devastating loss has affected all those who knew Ben with deep sadness and shock.”

Mr Sigut said Mr Mitchell’s “warmth, kindness and unwavering love” left an unforgettable mark on those who knew him.

He added that Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are “beautiful, selfless humans” who worked hard to build a life together with their two children.

“And with this tragedy, their legacy of love and compassion lives on, forever etched in the hearts of those they touched,” the fundraiser reads.

“Joh and her two sons, Hugo and Thomas, face the immense loss of their husband and father, they face the enormous challenge of living life without his presence.”

He GoFundMe has raised more than $27,000 since its inception on March 19.