Teen filmmaker Ashton Jones launches GoFundMe amid battle with liver disease

A teenage videographer, who’s filmed pro surfers like Aussie legend Mick Fanning, has had to put a pause on his dreams to fight liver disease. But you can help. Find out how.

A 19-year-old videographer has had to put a pause on his dreams to fight liver disease.

Ashton Jones was only 17 when he was diagnosed with terminal liver disease primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

“I didn’t really believe it,” said the teen, who was still in school when he got the news.

“I sort of thought it was a joke and that’s why I almost ignored it for so long.”

An avid surfer, Mr Jones had to stop due to his condition – so he swapped his surfboard for a camera.

Ashton Jones chased his videography dreams all the way in Gold Coast, including filming Australian professional surfer Mick Fanning. Picture Supplied

Ashton Jones spent 6 months on the Gold Coast honing his craft and chasing his videography dreams on the beaches. Picture: Supplied

“Surfing was like my mental escape,” he said.

“I was just thinking, if I can’t surf, I want to do something that’s still like involved in the ocean, close to the water.

“So I decided to get a cheap camera and just started off just filming my mates down at the beach.”

A Gold Coast move saw him film professional surfers, including Aussie legend Mick Fanning. He was soon introduced to other top surfers and spent months honing his craft.

Ashton Jones, 19, is suffering from liver disease and needs support while he looks for a transplant match. Picture: GoFundMe

Ashton Jones, 19, is suffering from liver disease and needs support while he looks for a transplant match. Picture: GoFundMe

But his condition took a turn for the worse on a surprise visit back to Adelaide two weeks ago.

Mr Jones felt sick and was rushed to the hospital where he ended up on life support after he began bleeding and coughing up blood.

He now needs a liver transplant, but finding an ideal match will be difficult due to his liver damage.

“It’s a matter of how long it will take for that transplant,” he said.

“It could be anywhere from 12 hours to two years.”

The Aldinga teen is still keen to get back to the beach, saying: “I don’t want my health to get in the way of doing what I want to do while I still can.”

He has set up a GoFundMe support his family and himself.

If you’d like to help, you can do so here.

Originally published as Teen filmmaker Ashton Jones launches GoFundMe amid battle with liver disease