Man Built His Own Coffin After Being Diagnosed with Kidney Failure. Now He Uses It as Halloween Decor (Exclusive)

**Clinical Trial Offers Hope to Man with Incurable Kidney Disease**

Ben Lager, a 65-year-old pharmacist from Denver, faced life-altering news that left him grappling with his own mortality. After years of ignoring symptoms, Lager was diagnosed in December 2020 with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), an incurable kidney disease. Despite living with health issues for over two decades, it wasn’t until he experienced profound weakness that he sought medical attention, finally leading to a proper diagnosis.

“When I received the diagnosis, I thought it meant the end for me,” Lager told reporters. Initially, he dismissed troubling signs, often attributing them to the normal aches and pains of life. “I urge others not to ignore warning signals; seek help rather than dismissing them,” he added, reflecting on the importance of proactive health care.

The diagnosis, however, was sobering. By the time he became aware of his condition, Lager had already lost more than half of his kidney functionality. Doctors told him that they could only hope to extend the remaining function for a few more years, leading to the consideration of dialysis as a future option—an idea Lager dismissed outright.

“I’m not interested in spending half my life on dialysis or asking loved ones for a kidney,” he explained. His perspective at the time was that he had lived a full life, and the unexpected prospects prompted him to take a morbid step—Lager began crafting his own coffin. “I thought it wise to prepare for the worst,” he admitted. He sourced wood and ordered fittings online, envisioning a coffin adorned with his cherished Bible verses, preferring his creation over traditional mortuary options.

The turning point came in 2021 when Lager was invited to participate in a clinical trial for a new drug called Trutakna, which has since received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Designed to combat IgAN, the medication works by inhibiting two critical signals that prompt the immune system to harm the kidneys.

Lager describes his mental state before starting the trial as one filled with resignation, as he worked to ensure his wife, Kathy, would be supported should his condition deteriorate. However, after beginning the treatment, he experienced a remarkable turnaround. “Once I got my energy back and stopped worrying about my impending end, it was like reclaiming my life,” he stated. He resumed his hobbies, including home renovations and musical pursuits, and feels rejuvenated by this new lease on life.

Despite the positive change, Lager remains aware of the emotional toll that a chronic illness can inflict. He candidly shared, “Many patients with IgAN struggle with depression as I did when facing my diagnosis. Building that coffin was something of a dark phase for me, reflecting my mindset at the time.”

Now benefiting from a maintenance dose of Trutakna, Lager feels a renewed sense of optimism: “There is so much hope now compared to where I was before.” He and Kathy, though happily adjusted to their current circumstances, still jest about the uncertainty of life, with Lager quipping about constructing a second coffin—this one for Kathy’s selection.

“This way, she can pick the one she prefers, and I jokingly take the less appealing one,” he laughs. Meanwhile, the original coffin has taken on a new role as a seasonal decoration, making appearances during Halloween to add a frightful touch to their festivities.

Lager’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of the impact that swift medical intervention and new treatments can have on patients facing dire health challenges. His story resonates as an example of resilience and the importance of prioritising one’s health. “I may have been headed towards my end, but now I feel it’s a joyful life again—no matter what age you are.”