A Kiwi man with a rare autoimmune disease which was slowly paralysing him by hardening his internal organs and skin has died.
Callan Fabian, 44, was battling scleroderma, which is a rare disease that sees the body produce excess amounts of collagen, attacking organs and turning them into scar tissue.
Mr Fabian received more than $24,000 in donations for ongoing care this week, after a feature in the NZ Herald highlighted his tragic condition.
However, Ann Wills, spokeswoman for a group supporting Aucklanders living with scleroderma, told the NZ Herald Mr Callan had died early yesterday morning, leaving the community "heartbroken".
According to his specialist, Mr Callan had been expected to live to see Christmas, meaning his death cames as a shock to those close to him.
Ms Wills said they treated him to an early Christmas surprise on Tuesday.
"I just had this funny feeling. And so I thought 'I should wrap these up as Christmas presents'.
We put on Santa hats and took him the presents; a nice soft blanket, a body pillow, a tri-pillow and a few different drinks that we though he'd enjoy," Ms Wills told the NZ Herald.
The Scleroderma New Zealand website states that the incurable disease currently affects around 1000 Kiwis.
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