Fred Funk joins man's fight for liver transplant

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Professional golfer and Ponte Vedra Beach resident Fred Funk is raising awareness for a man who is in dire need of a liver transplant.

Ben Chatraw was diagnosed with a rare disease called primary sclurosing colongitus, a condition which directly affects his liver.      

Chatraw is on the list for a transplant at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville but his numbers aren't high enough to put him at the top of the list.    

Funk, who has won eight times on the PGA Tour, is a friend of the family.

Funk wants it known that without help from a donor, Chatraw's days are numbered.

"You just see this, you feel for him. And you just want to see something happen where he can have his family back and his life back," Funk said.

Chatraw came close to getting a liver twice before.

At the last minute, doctors called off the surgeries, saying the donor organs were not a perfect match.

Despite the disappointment, the family's faith remains strong.

"We believe prayer is powerful and effective and we know it makes a difference in day to day life, I know my attitude would be different without it," said Stephanie Chatraw, Ben's wife.

They've set up LiverForBen.com, where through the "Designated Donation" program, a donor's family can name who they want the recipient to be as long as it's a match.

Funk says regardless of what hardships may come the family's way, he'll do what he can... for a man who embodies courage.

"We'll have a plane ready to take him, anywhere he needs to go. If he needs to be somewhere, he'll be there as quick as a plane can go," Funk said.


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.