Ben Phillips

Hope Renewed!

Update! On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Ben received “the call”! There was a donor suited for his body size and blood type! He received a heart transplant later that evening at the University of Pennsylvania Clifton Center for Medical Breakthroughs. His road to recovery is long, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude for your continued support. Please see updates below for more recent details.

Previous info from 2023:

From a Big Heart to a Strong One: Join Me On the Journey to Ben 2.0

Today I have some really important news to share with you. My battle with congestive heart failure has taken a serious turn. I’ve been in UPenn Hospital for ten weeks and counting. To keep on keepin’ on, I will need a heart transplant. I’m asking for your love, your prayers and your financial support as I navigate this journey to a new me. I’m not able to work and my savings are running out as I wait patiently for a donor heart. Heart failure is no joke.

I’m asking family and friends to help me through the nonprofit Help Hope Live. The money I’m raising will help me with critical transplant costs including medical expenses, travel expenses for my mom Maureen to visit me (she’s coming twice a week from Bethlehem, PA to Philadelphia paying for tolls and city parking), and cell phone service so I can stay connected to my doctors. Once I receive a transplant – God willing – I will need extra care and supplies while I recover at home.

Those of you who know me, know I’ve made every effort to live a positive, productive and faith-filled life despite my medical challenges. Even while fighting severe chest pain, I did my best to continue working as a tutor and volunteering at my church. For the past five years I’ve worked as an independent contractor – this means I don’t have any corporate benefits or vacation pay to lean on here.

While I have Medicaid, it’s important to understand that many transplant related costs aren’t covered. At this point, I’m unable to work and am not yet receiving disability support (the process takes months!). Your donations to Help Hope Live will play a crucial role in alleviating the financial strains that come with a heart transplant – not only for me but also for my mom who is my primary caregiver and is living on a fixed income. Your kindness and money will allow me to channel my energy into recovery and look ahead to a bright future with my brand new, bigger, better heart! That’s Ben 2.0.

I have chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to my fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!