Keegs has lived with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis since childhood. As he faces a second hip replacement, his family is holding onto hope that the help will come through to get him the surgery he urgently needs.
Johannesburg, South Africa (15 September 2026) – ‘I just want my boy to have his life back.’
Those are the words of Trisha, a South African mom living thousands of kilometres away from her only son, Keegan, who is currently in Johannesburg and in desperate need of a second hip replacement.
Keegan, now 31, was diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis when he was just eight years old. He has lived with pain for most of his life, and over the years, the damage to both of his hips became devastating.
Eventually, both hips completely fused. Keegan has been sporty and outdoorsy his whole life. Losing so much of his mobility has been incredibly difficult.
“At an age where he should be out enjoying life, building his future, and doing the things he loves most, he is instead struggling just to get out of bed every morning and get through each day,” Trisha shared on the family’s crowdfunding campaign.
Earlier this year, kindness from friends, family members and complete strangers helped Keegan reach an enormous milestone. Enough money was raised for Keegan to undergo his first hip replacement, and the operation was a success!
“There was no ICU stay required, and there have been no infections or complications. He is now recovering at home, continuing physiotherapy and walking with crutches as much as he can, guided by his doctors and his positive attitude!” Trisha shared in June.
His mom says that seeing him make it through that experience meant more than she could put into words. Now, her hope lies in Keegan undergoing the second operation that he urgently needs.
The increasing pain he still faces makes the need for the procedure more urgent, as ordinary pain medication is no longer helping.
Related Stories
South Africans Put Their Hats On for Children Who Need More Care and Compassion
UCT Food Bank Offers Science Students Peace of Mind“Keegs has deteriorated badly. His right hip is causing constant, excruciating pain, and regular painkillers are no longer working. His doctor has had to put him back on morphine-based medication. The pain is taking a devastating physical and emotional toll, and Keegs is becoming increasingly depressed and losing hope.”
Like many South Africans, Keegan has never been in a position to afford private medical aid. His family was told that waiting for the surgery through the public healthcare system could take years. That is time they do not feel he has.
Trisha is doing what she can from Malta, but the family needs more help in their corner to see this difficult battle through.
“We never imagined that one day we would be the ones having to ask for help,” she told Good Things Guy.
The family’s BackaBuddy campaign has already raised more than R290,000 towards Keegan’s surgeries and related costs. That amazing support helped make his first hip replacement possible. Another R136,281 is still needed to get Keegan through his second operation.
“I am his mom. I’m thousands of kilometres away, and there is nothing I want more than to be able to get him through this and eventually bring him to Malta for a very overdue visit one day when all of this is behind us and I’ve saved up the money for an air ticket for him.”
Every little bit of help brings Keegan closer to getting the operation he urgently needs. For those who cannot contribute financially, sharing the campaign could help his story reach someone who can.
Show your support by following this link.
by 
