Adrian Schwetz wants to start a family with his fiance Nicole, but he also has a condition which has reduced his fertility significantly.
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Mr Schwetz has Klinefelter syndrome, which means he was born with an additional X chromosome, so his genetic makeup is XXY.
Treatment includes lifelong testosterone injections, which Mr Schwetz said had reduced his fertility even further.
IVF is costly and so too are the ongoing medical expenses and complications associated with Klinefelter syndrome, including needing to replace his rapidly deteriorating teeth with dentures.
Family and friends of Mr Schwetz and his mum Lesley, a former Blue Mountains police officer, have organised a fundraising lunch at Springwood Country Club on July 19, which they hope the community will support.
Now 26, Mr Schwetz was diagnosed at age 20 and said it came as a shock. "It was rather overwhelming and I had to come to terms with the fact that I mightn't have kids," he said. "Having kids, I don't want to give up on that."
Mr Schwetz grew up in Hazelbrook, and moved to Queanbeyan a year ago to take up an apprenticeship as a glazier. He works an 11-hour day, up to six days a week to make ends meet and has taken out a loan to cover ongoing IVF costs. His mum has also gone into debt, taking out a number of loans to help her son.
Mr Schwetz said he would be eternally grateful for any money donated. He said being part of a Klinefelter's community on Facebook had also been helpful, for a condition that people had little understanding of.
The fundraising lunch starts at 12.30pm for 1pm. Tickets are $60 which includes lunch and raffle tickets. Red Door Cafe Leura, Leura Cellars and the Springwood Country Club are supporting the event.
RSVP by June 20 to Barry at: ottoyuki@bigpond.com. Or you may wish to make a donation via: www.gofundme.com/teeth-for-adrian.
