Man dies after battle with disease that was 'turning him to stone'

A man has died after a lengthy battle with a disorder that effectively turned his body to stone.

Callan Fabian, 44, from Auckland, suffered from scleroderma, a rare disease that gradually replaces the body with scar tissue after an excessive release of collagen.

His skin and internal organs progressively hardened, trapping Fabian inside his own body.

Fundraisers had recently begun a fundraising page on Give A Little for Fabian's care and the page's admin has confirmed part of the $24,000 raised will be put towards his funeral.

A spokeswoman for a group supporting people living with the disease in Auckland said the community was "heartbroken".

Fabian's specialist had initially thought he would make it to Christmas but as a precaution, he was treated to an early festive celebration on Tuesday, The New Zealand Herald reported.

"I just had this funny feeling," Ann Wills of Scleroderma New Zealand said.

"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 thought he'd enjoy."

• Perth teen fights rare disorder that makes him constantly fall asleep

• Recluse is cured of 'tree man disease' which covered hands in bark-like lesions

• Cheap breast implants blamed as cancer clusters uncovered around Australia

Fabian died early on Thursday morning after his state dramatically deteriorated through Wednesday night.

He had been suffering from the disease for over 10 years but only began to affect his life significantly in the last three years.

According to Scleroderma Australia, there are thought to be over 5,000 persons with the disease across the country.