By Anica Hattingh
Professor Pierre Goussard, a professor at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Head of Clinical Units for Paediatric Pulmonology and Paediatric Intensive Care (PICU) at Tygerberg Hospital, has embarked on a remarkable mission. He is using his passion for long-distance running to save children’s lives.
In addition to his leadership roles in the hospital, Prof. Goussard is an internationally recognized expert in bronchoscopy and serves as Chair of the Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust. Tygerberg Hospital functions as a major referral centre for complex paediatric cases, including tuberculosis (TB), HIV-related lung conditions, congenital airway anomalies, and severe pneumonia. The need for specialized medical equipment is therefore immense. Among the most urgent needs is a paediatric Olympus bronchoscope – a highly delicate instrument that allows doctors to examine the tiny airways of infants and children. This tool is critical not only for accurate diagnosis but also for performing minimally invasive procedures on young patients.
Rather than relying solely on traditional grants or donations, Prof. Goussard decided to combine his fundraising efforts with his love of long-distance running. He launched a campaign on GivenGain, inviting supporters to contribute “for every kilometre that [he] will run”.
On 5 July, he tackled one of the world’s most demanding trail marathons, the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon in Switzerland. The 45 km mountain race winds through the Swiss Alps, reaching elevations close to 2 600 meters – a true test of endurance and determination.
What makes this campaign particularly compelling is the tangible, life-saving medical impact it promises. The acquisition of a paediatric Olympus bronchoscope would allow Goussard and his team to improve healthcare outcomes for children. It would enhance the accuracy of TB diagnosis in infants, a task that is often challenging due to the difficulty of detecting the disease in young lungs. The bronchoscope would also support the early detection of respiratory malignancies, allowing for less invasive interventions, while expanding the team’s ability to perform interventional procedures that may reduce the need for major surgery. In addition, the device would serve as an essential tool for training South African and other African doctors in advanced bronchoscopy techniques, helping to build critical paediatric respiratory capacity across the continent.
Currently, Tygerberg’s team performs around 350 bronchoscopies annually. The new equipment would significantly enhance both their capacity and capabilities.
Despite his extraordinary efforts, Prof. Goussard acknowledged in an article on SU’s website that attracting donations has been challenging amid numerous competing campaigns. By 20 November, he had raised approximately R50 892, about 12% of the R400 000 target.
Yet for Prof. Goussard, the campaign is about more than just fundraising. In resource-limited settings like Tygerberg Hospital, access to expensive and sophisticated equipment is often beyond standard budgets. In this context, his running is not merely a personal challenge – it is an extension of his clinical work and commitment to saving young lives.
