
Lots of KM for Luke
- By: Alison Smith
- Short URL: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/luke-bester
- Date Created: 4 September 2022
Personal message
In early August 2022, 3 year old Luke was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a fast-growing cancer affecting the immune system. This is a devastating and life-changing diagnosis for Luke, his parents (Marvin and Ruth), and younger brother Joshua. Burkitt's Lymphoma is treatable with chemotherapy, but it's a long road ahead. Luke will spend most of the remaining year in hospital and will need a parent with him at all times.
On the 15 and 16 October, some members of Pinelands Athletic Club and staff from Bishops School (where Marvin is a teacher) have decided to run the Cape Town Marathon to raise awareness around Burkitt's Lymphoma, as well as funds for the family. All money raised will go directly to the know and unknown medical expenses for Luke as well as helping to pay bills for childcare for Joshua (Luke's younger brother), unpaid leave for parents, petrol costs to and from the hospital, meals for the family, and other expenses. We want to do anything we can to help ease this family's stress and financial burden.
Some of us are novice marathon runners. Others will be running their 10th Cape Town Marathon, their 50th standard marathon, some the super tough trail run or some coming out of marathon retirement to help the cause. We know that no amount is too small or too large and will be a blessing to the Bester family. Putting ourselves through many kilometers of discomfort will help to remind us of the difficulties that Luke is going through as we pray for a complete recovery.
Donations
- Apr 25, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "" - Anonymous
- Mar 24, 2023 - R 3 500.00 Fees covered
- "2 Corinthians 4:16-17" - Hunter
- Feb 14, 2023 - R 200.00
- "Keeping the little fighter in my prayers " - Anonymous
- Feb 14, 2023 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "My thoughts and prayers are with the Bester family..Get well soon little Luke. " - Charlene
- Feb 13, 2023 - R 750.00 Fees covered
- "Best of luck" - Anonymous
- Jan 10, 2023 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Strength to the Bester family!" - Tariq R
- Jan 09, 2023 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "You are my hero kiddo! Sending love and prayers up for you and your the rest of the Bester fam." - Amy
- Dec 23, 2022 - R 5 000.00
- "I pray you are better soon brave Luke " - Lenise
- Dec 20, 2022 - R 2 000.00
- "Anonymous" - Snapscan
- Dec 20, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for the Bester family" - Vivian Clemans
- Dec 18, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Best wishes little Luke" - Melanie
- Dec 13, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "I am praying for you." - Anonymous
- Dec 13, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Trust in the Lord who will not forsake you." - Davids family
- Dec 12, 2022 - R 1 000.00
- "Sending love and best wishes..may the Almighty grant Luke a full recovery..ameen" - Amina
- Dec 09, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Good luck and God Bless" - Rick
- Dec 09, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing the family everything of the best, praying for a speedy recovery" - Val Moodley
- Dec 08, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." Praying for Luke." - Mariana
- Dec 08, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for little Luke" - Vivian Clemans
- Dec 08, 2022 - R 200.00
- "May God heal you Luke and remove the cancer from your body in Jesus Name Amen" - Anonymous
- Dec 08, 2022 - R 1 500.00 Fees covered
- "Get well soon, Luke. All the best to you and your family, Mr Bester. With lots of love and prayers." - Matthew Griffin and Family
- Dec 06, 2022 - R 200.00
- "Always in my prayers - such a brave little guy . All the best to Marvin and family. " - Anonymous
- Nov 29, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Always in our hearts and prayers. You got this big boy - what a champ ! Send much love to all of you xx" - Linda C
- Nov 28, 2022 - R 400.00 Fees covered
- "Get well soon Luke" - Anonymous
- Nov 27, 2022 - R 100.00 Fees covered
- "I pray God heals your baby boy his in my prayers daily he will get better soon Yahweh loves him very much" - Ayesha
- Nov 25, 2022 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
- "Love to you and the family as you travel on this journey." - Anon
- Nov 12, 2022 - R 500.00
- "with love ️ " - Alex
- Nov 08, 2022 - R 330.00 Fees covered
- "Praying with you Ruth and Marvin " - Get better Luke
- Oct 26, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "In our prayers " - Maeve
- Oct 26, 2022 - R 200.00
- "Prayers and thoughts with you all. Get well soon little Luke " - Jordaan family
- Oct 22, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Get well soon, brave young man" - Pieter Cronje
- Oct 22, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Ruthie and Poster Boy. Strength and love." - The Arm
- Oct 21, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Marvin, Ruth,Luke and Joshua, you are all in my heart and prayers xxx" - Fazielah Williams
- Oct 21, 2022 - USD $ 29.52 Fees covered
- "You are all in our thoughts and prayers." - Jacqui Stain
- Oct 21, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Psalm 27:13-14 Wishing the family all the best and a speedy recovery. " - JC
- Oct 20, 2022 - R 150.00 Fees covered
- "God bless you and your family Luke" - David Wilhelm Jnr
- Oct 20, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Strength and love to the family. May God grant Luke a full recovery." - Anonymous
- Oct 20, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Luke, wishing you every success in getting well and growing the strength to one day pay forward." - Robert
- Oct 19, 2022 - R 250.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing you all strength on this difficult journey " - Anon
- Oct 18, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "May God continue to bless Luke. " - Soraya Von Willingh
- Oct 18, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Sending lots of strength." - Marileen
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Sending positive vibes and strength to the family. Wishing Luke a full, swift recovery. " - Trudy Randall
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "My thoughts and prayers are will your family, Marvin!" - Graeme Klerck
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Thinking of you all SO much." - Anonymous
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing Luke and family all of the best for this journey." - Merv and Jill Walsh
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Sending all my love and prayers to this wonderfully strong young lad and family xx" - RG
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "with love and wishing all the strength with your treatment" - Jaytee Abrahams
- Oct 17, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Sending lots of love and positive thoughts as you travel this difficult journey" - Bishops teacher
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "With love." - Anonymous
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 27 800.00 Fees covered
- "“I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."” Psalm 91:2 ESV" - Anonymous
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Well done the runners! Lots of love to Luke and his family." - Anonymous
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Dear Marvin and Ruth, sending you and Luke love and positive thoughts!" - Stephen Carletti
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Strength at this time and love to you all. Well done to the runners for this amazing initiative!" - Anon
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Strength to the Bester family!" - Glen Gibbon & family
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for you Luke and family. May you feel overwhelmingly loved today." - The Millers
- Oct 16, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Sending loads of love and strength. Keeping you all close always." - Linda C
- Oct 15, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Courage and strength to you all for the road ahead." - Joc Wrensch
- Oct 15, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for strength and for God’s healing power to be at work. " - Anonymous
- Oct 15, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Luke and the Bester family are in my thoughts." - Shaun Hewett
- Oct 15, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Sending love and courage! " - Gail Daniels
- Oct 15, 2022 - USD $ 58.84 Fees covered
- "Get better, Luke!" - Anonymous
- Oct 15, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "With much love to the Bester family " - Henchie family
- Oct 14, 2022 - R 4 000.00
- "Praying for a complete and swift recovery for Luke. All the strength to you and the family, Mr Bester. Suhayl and the Khalfeys" - Suhayl Khalfey
- Oct 12, 2022 - R 1 500.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for Luke" - Daniel Heyneke
- Oct 12, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Strength to you all." - Kate
- Oct 12, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Hi Marvin and Ruth, I pray that God will heal Luke and your family will know God’s love and presence with you over this extended treatment period." - Neil Hodgson
- Oct 12, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Thinking of you all" - de Waal family
- Oct 11, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing Luke a speedy recovery and lots of love to you and your family Marvin." - Martin family
- Oct 11, 2022 - R 200.00
- "Lots of Love ️ " - Robyn
- Oct 10, 2022 - USD $ 59.67 Fees covered
- "Wishing blessings on Luke and his family" - Beth & Joe
- Oct 10, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Prayers and love." - Anon
- Oct 10, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Thoughts and prayers with you during this time " - RR
- Oct 08, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers Luke. May you be graced with healing." - Vicky Hindmarch
- Oct 08, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Sending lots of love and strength to the family. Get better soon Luke! " - Tegan Rowe
- Oct 08, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "May God hold you all in the palm of His hand" - Ethne Stevens Stevens
- Oct 07, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "May the treatment be successful. Strength to Luke and Family." - Chris S
- Oct 07, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "All good thoughts for swift and successful treatment . An inspirational teacher and mentor and we wish you and your family strength and good wishes ." - JF and family
- Oct 06, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Trusting that Luke is restored to full health, in Jesus name. Praying strength & peace for your parents " - Aletta
- Oct 06, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Along with our prayers" - Rinquest family
- Oct 06, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "We wish Luke Gods blessings and May you by God’s Grace be healed " - Andreas & Renata
- Oct 05, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing Luke much Love and full recovery " - PAC runner
- Oct 05, 2022 - R 300.00 Fees covered
- "All the best. Stay strong. Keeping you all in prayer. God will provide." - Anonymous
- Oct 05, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Get well soon little one!" - Eloise
- Oct 05, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "May the Almighty grant Luke a swift and complete recovery." - Hendricks family
- Oct 04, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "***" - Anonymous
- Oct 04, 2022 - R 3 610.25 Fees covered
- "Sending your family all of our best wishes and positive thoughts." - Kyle Aneesa
- Oct 04, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Love and prayers from the Gamieldien family" - Abubaker Gamieldien
- Oct 03, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "You are so brave Luke, you in my prayers and thinking of you all" - Melissa Williamson
- Oct 03, 2022 - R 300.00 Fees covered
- "Get well soon Luke!" - A.C.
- Oct 02, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing you strength and God's healing mercies. " - Ally
- Oct 02, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Marvin, God is always with you, Ruth and Luke" - Lucy
- Oct 02, 2022 - R 200.00
- "All the best for Luke" - T.G.
- Oct 02, 2022 - R 5 000.00 Fees covered
- "We love you Luke and Joshua " - Joel Jenna Ethan
- Oct 01, 2022 - R 2 000.00
- "Keeping you family in my prayers. Lots of love. " - Arlene Carelse
- Oct 01, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Keep strong Luke, Marv, and Ruth. " - Gareth Cupido
- Sep 30, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Sending lots of love and prayers to Luke and his family " - Davidse family
- Sep 28, 2022 - R 300.00 Fees covered
- "Continually praying for Luke and for your family. You guys are SUPERHEROES! " - Alison
- Sep 28, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for God's healing and strength for the family. " - Gianna
- Sep 28, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "In our hearts and prayers - sending soo much love and strength" - LINDA COETZEE
- Sep 28, 2022 - R 2 000.00
- "Continue to pray that Luke makes a complete and full recovery." - Henry and Melany
- Sep 27, 2022 - R 800.00
- "Much love to Luke and strength to Marvin and Ruth." - Anonymous
- Sep 27, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Sending love and prayers to Luke and the Bester family" - JN
- Sep 25, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Courage and strength to you all " - Anonymous
- Sep 23, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Speedy recovery little man. We’re thinking of you x " - Joe Lanning
- Sep 23, 2022 - R 50.00 Fees covered
- "️" - KLG
- Sep 22, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Sending strength and love to you all." - Anon
- Sep 22, 2022 - R 50.00
- "May God keep his hand on you lil man, keep believing x" - KLG
- Sep 20, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Stay Strong God Bless" - Akshay Thakersee
- Sep 20, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for strength and healing" - Matthew Haller
- Sep 20, 2022 - R 200.00
- "Wishing you the best." - Lollos Rodseth
- Sep 19, 2022 - R 200.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing you and your whole family all the best Mr Bester " - Mikey Richardson
- Sep 19, 2022 - USD $ 122.47 Fees covered
- "Get well!! " - Grant Warner
- Sep 19, 2022 - R 300.00 Fees covered
- "Wishing him the swiftest recovery possible! " - Julian
- Sep 18, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Sending Luke and the whole family much love and strength. " - The Neuhoff family
- Sep 18, 2022 - R 1 000.00
- "Wishing little Luke a speedy recovery. Prayers to the Bester Family. Hugz and lots of love to Luke, Joshua, Ruth and Marvin. You are in my prayer chain. " - Brenda Bibby
- Sep 17, 2022 - USD $ 122.95 Fees covered
- "xxx" - Anonymous
- Sep 16, 2022 - USD $ 61.42 Fees covered
- "Wishing you all the best!" - Richardson family
- Sep 16, 2022 - R 500.00
- "Sending strength to the Bester family. Good luck to all the runners too" - Terri-Ann
- Sep 16, 2022 - R 5 000.00
- "Praying for courage, strength and healing for your family." - Panieri family
- Sep 16, 2022 - R 2 000.00 Fees covered
- "Sending love to Luke and his family" - LISA FENN
- Sep 16, 2022 - R 300.00 Fees covered
- "Sending so much love and prayers for strength during this incredibly difficult time and full recovery for beautiful Luke " - Tanith
- Sep 15, 2022 - R 250.00
- "Praying for a full recovery and strength for the family during this challenge." - Nancy
- Sep 14, 2022 - R 100.00
- "May the angels be with you and your family Luke" - Lidia afonso
- Sep 14, 2022 - R 200.00
- "Prayers to all " - Anon
- Sep 10, 2022 - R 1 000.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for Luke and his family." - Liezl
- Sep 10, 2022 - R 1 000.00
- "Keeping the family in my prayers. Wishing Luke a speedy recovery. " - Karen Alexander
- Sep 10, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Best of luck" - Anonymous
- Sep 07, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Happy to help you. All the best in the difficult road ahead." - Andrew
- Sep 07, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Blessings to you Luke and family. Ray and girls" - Ray
- Sep 07, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "In our thoughts and prayers and running for this adorable little boy whose parents I met through our love of running. This one's for you Luke. You've got this xx" - LINDA C
- Sep 07, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Running for Luke, Ruth, Marvin and Joshua. Every step taking Luke closer to recovery. We hope to bring the family comfort, relief and support." - The Rist Family
- Sep 07, 2022 - R 500.00 Fees covered
- "Praying for you Luke and your family." - Kathryn Chu
- Sep 07, 2022 - USD $ 31.20 Fees covered
- "Praying for Luke and his family. CTM will be my 50th standard marathon, in honour of Luke xx" - Alison
Statistics
Luke Bester Medical Campaign

We are raising funds to help support The Bester Family.
In early August 3 year old Luke was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, fast-growing cancer affecting the immune system. This is a devastating and life-changing diagnosis for Luke, his parents (Marvin and Ruth), and younger brother Joshua. Burkitt's Lymphoma is treatable with chemotherapy, but it's a long road ahead. Luke will spend most of the remaining year in hospital and will need a parent with him at all times.