OPINION | Views expressed in this article reflect the author's opinion.

On December 7th, Levi Dewey went to the Royal Derby Hospital with flu-like symptoms. He was having a difficult time breathing.

Dewey was living an active life and playing soccer for his local team in Willington, England. He was also working as a welder.

Everything changed abruptly as Dewey was placed on a ventilator for 31 days, 14 of which were in an induced coma.

He wasn’t only battling the flu, but rather influenza B and pneumococcal pneumonia. As his body was attacked, he went into septic shock and had multiple organ failures.

Doctors believe he had a 30 percent chance of survival.

He was given ECMO — extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — and full organ support.

Just two days before his 21st birthday, on Jan. 24, Dewey will undergo surgery to amputate both of his lower legs.

This is a desperate attempt to save his life. Sepsis had attacked his legs so extensively that amputation was necessary.

More on this story via Western Journal:

Dewey’s mother, Lara Dewey, 47, said she knew early on that her son’s plight might come to this.

“We were told fairly early on that Levi could potentially lose his legs and need an operation. We were prepared for this outcome if it was to save his life,” she said.

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“Obviously, it’s going to be life-changing for everyone, but this is something we can work through as a family and we have such a strong and positive support network. Levi has always had a positive mindset and his glass is always half full,” she said.

On a GoFundMe page set up for Dewey, family friend Anna Scott wrote that, “Despite this news, Levi remains optimistic about his future. He is so grateful to be alive after these life-changing events.”

By Friday, the page had raised more than £58,000 (nearly $72,000 in U.S. dollars) with more than 2,000 donations.