Richard needs help for new cancer treatment

A group of friends will be taking part in a four-day 13 Peaks Challenge to help raise funds for their fellow SACS old boy who has a rare type of cancer.

Richard Bam, from Mowbray, was diagnosed, in 2018, with synovial sarcoma, a cancer that targets soft tissue. He was 15 at the time, and after multiple surgeries, radiation and six months of high-dose chemotherapy, it seemed that he was on the road to recovery.

However, after being in remission for 18 months, the cancer returned and spread throughout Richard’s lungs. He managed to get through high school while juggling radiation and surgeries and has since been on numerous strong chemotherapies, radiation and targeted therapies. But none of them worked, and his family have launched a BackaBuddy campaign, desperately trying to raise R2.5 million for the 20-year-old to undergo another round of treatment in Europe.

His friends have committed to taking part in the 13 Peaks Challenge - from tomorrow, Friday March 17, to Sunday March 19 and on Tuesday March 21 - to raise funds and awareness of Richard’s plight.

The 13 Peaks Challenge involves climbing 13 peaks in Cape Town over a four-day period.

Richard’s supporters will start with Signal Hill on Friday. A core group of supporters will take part in the entire challenge, but the public can join for segments of it as well as post-run events, including a sunset social event with a DJ at Signal Hill tomorrow.

SACS old boy and friend Nic Anema, of Hout Bay, said that as friends who had watched Richard go through this struggle, they wanted to do something to show him that they were there for him,

“The idea of the 13 Peaks Challenge came up as a way to support Richard and bring our community together in a shared effort. We hope that by doing this challenge, we can raise awareness of Richard's situation and inspire others to show their support as well. We believe that by coming together to complete this challenge, we can create a sense of solidarity and support for Richard, and for each other.

“We know that facing a serious illness can be isolating and overwhelming, and we want Richard to know that he’s not alone in this. We’re also hoping we can inspire others to come together and show their support for people facing difficult situations in their own lives. Ultimately, we believe that this challenge is not just about raising funds, but about creating a sense of empathy and compassion in our community, and showing that we’re all in this together.”

Richard’s mother, Jeanne Bam, said the support from his friends was heart-warming, and she was thankful for the awareness that had been raised.

“Social media blew up when his friends were at the traffic lights a few weekends ago raising awareness, playing music, holding up signs. It was so heart-warming and much appreciated. The support from Richard’s friends has been phenomenal.”

Ms Bam said the BackaBuddy campaign had started well and had so far raised nearly R765 000, but the momentum had died down over the past month or two.

Ms Bam said her son was currently undergoing dendritic cell therapy in Germany, which was not covered by medical aid. The targeted treatment boosts the chances of eliminating unnoticed cancer cells.

“No-one does better research than a parent with a sick child, and that’s what we did. After countless emails, many dead ends and hours of interviews, we have identified immunotherapy as the best next step. There have been exciting developments in the field, and we are hoping Richard can be the next success story.”

Ms Bam said the hardest part for the family was seeing someone you love suffer and being unable to “fix” it.

“Richard has continually and resolutely faced this challenge with a smile, a good sense of humour, and a willingness to never give up,” she said.

Visit backabuddy.co.za to support Richard’s campaign.