A Barrie man is in a race against time and even though his lungs may be failing – he’s not backing down from a challenge.
Rob Burtch has Cystic Fibrosis and needs a double lung transplant. He’s one of ninety people in the province on a waiting list but he is quickly running out of time.
“My lungs have got to the place where they’re not going to last much longer. So the only alternative is to get new lungs.”
On Friday he was preparing for the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon in Toronto. He won’t be able to run the whole because he quickly loses his breath and coughs a lot.
Burtch will have to carry and use an oxygen tank for the run. He’s aware of the risks but is willing to do it anyways.
Burtch says he was told he would live until he was 35. He’s 35 now and even though he needs a double lung transplant right away he says he has no plans on slowing down.
“I took it on because when you’re on a transplant list you can’t work, you can’t do much, and you can do chores around the house the way that you want. So life becomes pretty boring at time and I need something to work towards or be a goal.”
Burtch has raised more than $1500 for the marathon and if you would like to sponsor him just click here.
