Ben Askren?

[GimJustafan]

Lung_Patient.pdf

[VakAttack]

8 hours ago, scourge165 said:

Are you guessing or going off firm information here?

My guess would be you're saying because it's not likely to yield a good result, but... well, I don't want to guess. 

My (admittedly non-expert) understanding is that his body couldn't handle a transplant at this stage, so there's no point to putting him on the list.  

[BarSeries]

[juniorvarsity]

2 hours ago, VakAttack said:

My (admittedly non-expert) understanding is that his body couldn't handle a transplant at this stage, so there's no point to putting him on the list.  

Maybe they need to get the infection under control first. I say that without any understanding of the situation. 

[red viking]

2 hours ago, juniorvarsity said:

Maybe they need to get the infection under control first. I say that without any understanding of the situation. 

Good guess. Hard to put the body through an organ transplant while infected w staph. 

[scourge165]

9 hours ago, juniorvarsity said:

Maybe they need to get the infection under control first. I say that without any understanding of the situation. 

I would THINK if they haven't gotten it under control by now... the update would have been even worse. Staph for nearly a month running rampant? 

I'm just trying to understand based on the updates, but it seems to like staph was bad, it was everywhere (being in the type of shape he was in only made it worse as he probably waited longer to go than most) and that caused the damage and now he needs to recover and exhibit some signs that he can survive a transplant or respond to treatmen. But that's my very uneducated interpretation of everything I've read. 

 

[Hammerlock3]

33 minutes ago, scourge165 said:

I would THINK if they haven't gotten it under control by now... the update would have been even worse. Staph for nearly a month running rampant? 

I'm just trying to understand based on the updates, but it seems to like staph was bad, it was everywhere (being in the type of shape he was in only made it worse as he probably waited longer to go than most) and that caused the damage and now he needs to recover and exhibit some signs that he can survive a transplant or respond to treatmen. But that's my very uneducated interpretation of everything I've read. 

 

when these conditions start intermingling I assume there is a lot of unexplored territory in terms of optimal treatment. Difference between individuals are vexing enough in terms of treatment, then add a few more conditions and the variables must be exponential. Its sort of like when an elderly person has a condition that can't be referenced without mentioning 3 others, you know they're in trouble.

[BruceyB]

I don't this doesn't come out as off-putting, but IMO we should just keep this thread to actual updates on Ben's health while avoiding playing doctor by trying to explain why, how, or what is going to come of Ben's current situation. I know that we are all on the same team, but we should stick to what we know based on the information that has been made public. 

I know that's not typically the spirit of a forum, but in this critical time, I don't think any of us want to give "opinion" on what may or may not be transpiring. This is an absolutely horrible situation, and I think we would all be best giving it space. Please continue to share updates, but let's not bring opinions or speculation into the picture anymore than necessary.

[ionel]

21 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I don't this doesn't come out as off-putting, but IMO we should just keep this thread to actual updates on Ben's health while avoiding playing doctor by trying to explain why, how, or what is going to come of Ben's current situation. I know that we are all on the same team, but we should stick to what we know based on the information that has been made public. 

I know that's not typically the spirit of a forum, but in this critical time, I don't think any of us want to give "opinion" on what may or may not be transpiring. This is an absolutely horrible situation, and I think we would all be best giving it space. Please continue to share updates, but let's not bring opinions or speculation into the picture anymore than necessary.

^^^ this ^^^

[152lbs]

 Some speculation is fair play.  People that are intubated, on ECMO and being evaluated for a lung transplant are very sick.  Outcomes for these patients is often dismal.  Lets not sugarcoat what is actually pretty bleak.

[Rassling2]

3 hours ago, BruceyB said:

I don't this doesn't come out as off-putting, but IMO we should just keep this thread to actual updates on Ben's health while avoiding playing doctor by trying to explain why, how, or what is going to come of Ben's current situation. I know that we are all on the same team, but we should stick to what we know based on the information that has been made public. 

I know that's not typically the spirit of a forum, but in this critical time, I don't think any of us want to give "opinion" on what may or may not be transpiring. This is an absolutely horrible situation, and I think we would all be best giving it space. Please continue to share updates, but let's not bring opinions or speculation into the picture anymore than necessary.

Well said

[Saylors_Tiny_Willie]

3 hours ago, 152lbs said:

 Some speculation is fair play.  People that are intubated, on ECMO and being evaluated for a lung transplant are very sick.  Outcomes for these patients is often dismal.  Lets not sugarcoat what is actually pretty bleak.

Lung transplants are super tough.
They have the worst 10 year survival rates out of all solid organ transplants.
 

[billyhoyle]

14 hours ago, BruceyB said:

I don't this doesn't come out as off-putting, but IMO we should just keep this thread to actual updates on Ben's health while avoiding playing doctor by trying to explain why, how, or what is going to come of Ben's current situation. I know that we are all on the same team, but we should stick to what we know based on the information that has been made public. 

I know that's not typically the spirit of a forum, but in this critical time, I don't think any of us want to give "opinion" on what may or may not be transpiring. This is an absolutely horrible situation, and I think we would all be best giving it space. Please continue to share updates, but let's not bring opinions or speculation into the picture anymore than necessary.

This is the most shocking and devastating situation that I've seen on this forum since Adam Frey.  There is really nothing to discuss, since there are no updates and it is clearly an extremely dire situation. At the same time, how can we discuss anything else with this going on? Askren is one of the most notable wrestlers of the past two decades. He is in the prime of his life. This has come out of nowhere. 

[LIV4GOD]

22 hours ago, 152lbs said:

 Some speculation is fair play.  People that are intubated, on ECMO and being evaluated for a lung transplant are very sick.  Outcomes for these patients is often dismal.  Lets not sugarcoat what is actually pretty bleak.

I don't mind speculation.  This is a big deal in the wrestling world and some people have real experience in similar matters.  I wouldn't mind reading.  It's not like it's his personal Facebook page.  This is a message board.  

Edited 16 hours ago by LIV4GOD

[BarSeries]

[BarSeries]

https://www.rudis.com/pages/ben-askren-support-a-legend?fbclid=IwY2xjawLC_OdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFuV3VmZWNHOHBHaVFGM1IwAR4NjaKpHscUlQMBMIuC1FlyWCmEfX5rcHv-zziV52PjjPrGtuOMrZML6QmOVw_aem_ZBkdZQq7rbUAhETx-7Boqw

[BarSeries]

https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25865/

[BarSeries]

[Saylors_Tiny_Willie]

https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/06/21/dana-white-offers-support-to-ben-askren-with-the-former-fighter-in-need-of-life-saving-lung-transplant/

FFS, Dana White's personal net worth is $500M.
Just pay for it instead of this drawn out sh!t public beg-a-thon.

Edited 6 hours ago by Saylors_Tiny_Willie

[scourge165]

33 minutes ago, Saylors_Tiny_Willie said:

https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/06/21/dana-white-offers-support-to-ben-askren-with-the-former-fighter-in-need-of-life-saving-lung-transplant/

FFS, Dana White's personal net worth is $500M.
Just pay for it instead of this drawn out sh!t public beg-a-thon.

I don't really think it's fair to call this a 'beg-a-thon.'

I've seen someone opened a fundraiser to help them grow an RTC for higher level athletes to train in Wisconsin...which makes sense given they'll have guys like O'Toole, Mesenbrink, and then perhaps Hopke, Sinclair...a ton of guys who COULD be competitive in the coming years., Millard, Scholes, Clark. Either way, just an idea someone else came up with.

 

And then I'd guess there's a Gofundme for Amy as she's got 3 young kids, but Dana White can't just write a check and cover these transplants. if that was the case, I'd think Ben would be fine as he's done very well financially. 

[VakAttack]

I do find frustration in our medical system that even an independently wealthy person like Ben would need donations to cover medical costs just so he doesn't die or bankrupt his family. 

[billyhoyle]

3 hours ago, VakAttack said:

I do find frustration in our medical system that even an independently wealthy person like Ben would need donations to cover medical costs just so he doesn't die or bankrupt his family. 

I have no clue what his financial situation has been, but somebody independently wealthy can buy insurance and then be covered for medical expenses. The medical system isn't failing people with money. It fails people who cannot afford insurance but don't qualify for medicaid. 

I imagine they are fundraising for costs that are beyond what insurance would cover. Like lodging near the hospital and/or travel to and from (if they are commuting via plane). Also, a big thing for them is probably lost income.  Askren was making money from appearances and things that isn't coming in anymore. Because he didn't have a 9-5 job, I doubt he had disability insurance that would cover his income. Mortgage payments don't stop just because the primary earner is in the hospital. Neither do costs associated with their kids.  None of that is the fault of the medical system-rather it is a consequence of a tragedy. 

The other thing is buying an Askren shirt isn't really the same thing as asking for donations. His name is a brand that has value on apparel-he has sold "funky" gear for years. People wanting to buy more of his gear at the moment isn't an act of charity, although the money does help his family. It is still purchasing branded gear. 

Edited 37 minutes ago by billyhoyle

[VakAttack]

29 minutes ago, billyhoyle said:

I have no clue what his financial situation has been, but somebody independently wealthy can buy insurance and then be covered for medical expenses. The medical system isn't failing people with money. It fails people who cannot afford insurance but don't qualify for medicaid. 

I imagine they are fundraising for costs that are beyond what insurance would cover. Like lodging near the hospital and/or travel to and from (if they are commuting via plane). Also, a big thing for them is probably lost income.  Askren was making money from appearances and things that isn't coming in anymore. Because he didn't have a 9-5 job, I doubt he had disability insurance that would cover his income. Mortgage payments don't stop just because the primary earner is in the hospital. Neither do costs associated with their kids.  None of that is the fault of the medical system-rather it is a consequence of a tragedy. 

The other thing is buying an Askren shirt isn't really the same thing as asking for donations. His name is a brand that has value on apparel-he has sold "funky" gear for years. People wanting to buy more of his gear at the moment isn't an act of charity, although the money does help his family. It is still purchasing branded gear. 

I want to be clear I'm not criticizing Ben or his family about this, but the system.  They are selling shirts, but also there is a donations link set up as well, and that's totally fine by me, given the system we have here.