Richard’s story of hope

I am Richard Burger and I have a genetic lung disease called Cystic Fibrosis.

I was diagnosed in 2011 at the age of 13.

I was diagnosed quite late for someone with CF and this is because the doctors I had been seeing during my childhood had never heard of CF and therefore didn’t know how to diagnose me so I was simply diagnosed with Asthma.

During my Grade 7 year my health got worse and eventually we saw a specialist who sent me for a sweat test and I was diagnosed with CF.

A month and a half later I went to boarding school at Rondebosch Boys’ High School where I had the time of my life and I was well cared for by the staff there.

After school I obtained a teaching degree at Stellenbosch University and I still live in Stellenbosch.

I love the outdoors and being active. Cricket is my favourite sport and it has always been a way that I have kept myself healthy.

I also love the ocean and I bodyboard when I get the chance.

Recently I got into running and I plan on running a few 10km races this year where I’ll be wearing custom made shirts to spread awareness for CF.

I dream of telling people my story with CF and I hope that one day others can gain inspiration from it and that it can help people overcome their own personal obstacles.

Thank you for sharing my cause or donating: I will need R 35 000 monthly to make treatment sustainable for me.

I will only need this for the next 24 months, after which my medical aid will be able to fund the medication in full for my medical treatment.

To donate please use reference: RBB034