08/08/2025
Dear Friends, Family, and Kind-hearted Strangers,
We are reaching out as a family in desperate need of support for our son, Rico Eagles.
Rico is a 22-year-old club rugby player whose love for the game runs deep. On 26 July 2025, during a match, Rico was tackled and landed head-first into the ground. The impact left him with three dislocated vertebrae in his neck, and he has been lying in traction at Mamelodi Hospital ever since.
He urgently needs a spinal fusion surgery to prevent further damage and permanent paralysis. We’ve been waiting for a transfer to Steve Biko Hospital, but no beds have been available—and we’ve been told it could still be days, weeks, or even months before one opens up.
Things took a turn for the worse this morning. While nurses were adjusting the traction weights, the screws tore out from Rico’s skull. The resulting open wounds are now infected—an extremely dangerous situation given how close they are to the brain.
We’ve reached out to Netcare Pretoria East for help. While they can't give an exact amount without an evaluation, they’ve quoted R116,000 upfront for one week of hospital care and one hour in theatre.
We never imagined we’d be in this position. We knew the risks of playing a contact sport without medical aid—but when your child has such passion, it's hard to say no. We now find ourselves facing the harsh reality that comes with that decision.
We're asking for help—financial donations, medical contacts, or even a referral to a private doctor who may be willing to assist. Most importantly, we ask for your prayers—for Rico’s physical healing, and for the emotional toll this trauma is taking on him.
“Thank you” feels too small for the gratitude we have. But from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading, sharing, donating, or helping in any way you can.
With love and hope,
The Eagles Family
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/rico-needs-neck-surgery-after-rugby-match