Fundraiser launched for drum 'n' bass MC Ben Verse following cancer diagnosis
Ben has suffered a series of health issues over the past six months, his family said
A fundraiser has been launched to help support medical treatment for drum ‘n’ bass MC Ben Verse – real name Benjamin Mount – after a series of health issues and a recent cancer diagnosis.
The former Pendulum member is currently undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with acute monoblastic leukemia four months ago, his family confirmed.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Ben’s brother, Jeremy, in the hopes of raising £20,000 towards medical bills, everyday financial costs, nursing care, childcare, and mobility solutions.
Ben was first hospitalised in August 2024 with suspected tuberculosis, which was later discovered to be a “rapidly-growing, antibiotic evasive/resistant” superbug which formed an abscess in his lung.
Ben was rushed to hospital in Palma and placed in an induced coma, his family explained, where he remained for six weeks under trial of different antibiotics.
“We were told on a couple of occasions that it was doubtful he would survive,” Jeremy writes. “Each day brought a new calamity/issue: sepsis, bleeding, haematoma, a heart attack, another procedure, another tube.”
After recovering, Ben left the ICU unit, but was diagnosed with acute leukemia just three weeks later which resulted in “immediate need for chemotherapy in various forms”.
“Finally, after over 4 months in hospital, it looks like Ben will soon be able to return home. However, he has lost half his body weight, still has the abscess with the use of only one lung, can't yet walk and is currently on his second round of chemotherapy.”
Ben’s family asked friends and fans to “consider giving what you can” to help him on his road to recovery, and help financially support his partner and two young daughters at home.
Jeremy added that his brother has continued writing new music since coming out of the coma, which once mastered, will be available for everyone to access.
“Ben doesn’t want it to be a charity, but right now we need to reach out to everyone that knows him and wants to help at this extremely difficult and stressful time.”
Donate to the fundraiser here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter