Back to page

Together for Riley

  • 6 Weeks Post Surgery

      21 June 2026
    Main image

    It’s hard to believe Riley is now 6 weeks post-surgery!

    He’s doing really well, although he’s still not allowed to put any weight through his leg or bend his knee. He’s itching to get started with physio and begin using his leg again.

    After spending a month at Starship following surgery, Riley was able to come home for a couple of weeks (although one of those weeks was spent in Hastings Hospital!). Even so, it was really cool that he got to celebrate his 13th birthday at home with family and friends.

    The biggest news, though, is that we’ve received the results from his surgery and they were better than we could have hoped for. The margins were NEGATIVE, meaning the tumour was removed completely with clear margins, an enormous relief for all of us.

    The pathology results also showed 99% necrosis, meaning 99% of the tumour was made up of dead cancer cells. We’ve been told this is an exceptional result, especially for osteosarcoma, and something that is very rarely seen.

    This week we are back up to starship for chemo (over halfway through his treatment now!) and for Riley to have his staples removed, all 85 of them!

    We continue to feel incredibly grateful for the amazing teams at Starship and Hastings Hospital, who have cared for Riley every step of the way, and for the overwhelming support, kindness and generosity that has been shown to our family. There is still a road ahead, but Riley continues to take everything in his stride and is absolutely smashing this cancer for 6.👊

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 23/06/2026 by Jenny

      We are so thrilled to hear Riley is progressing so well! This is what you all deserve you have been through enough. Sending love and good wishes for continued great outcome Jen & Cheryn ❤️❤️

  • Update on Riley

      17 May 2026

    Riley’s had his surgery this week, which went really well. He spent 8.5hrs in theatre. It was an incredibly complex surgery but he had the top team working on him who all looked after him amazingly and it all went to plan. In very simple terms, his leg now has donor bone, repositioned bone and muscle, re-attached vessels, plates, screws, staples, skin grafts and, most importantly, hopefully no more tumor! He’s been on bed rest this week, in a big backslab cast and a big splint to keep it all still and straight.

    Recovery so far is going well. Epidurals out and he’s managing the pain like an absolute champ. He’s keeping the team busy trying to figure out why his heart rates a bit high and had more tests, pokes and prods this week than many have had in a lifetime. But the team are on it and he’s being well looked after.

    Next week the plan is to go back into theatre and get new dressings and cast, start some physio/ get out of bed a bit and into his wheelchair, then all going well, maybe back on the chemo end of next week. But just taking it day by day at this stage.

    Thank you all so much for your ongoing support, it really does mean the world to us.

    The Burchs xx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update on Riley

      21 April 2026

    The week before last saw Riley completing his second cycle of chemo. As you all know, chemo is incredibly tough on the body, so it’s been a rough couple of months, but he’s a third of the way through the treatment aspect of his journey now and being an absolute champ.

    Last week Riley’s had lots of scans and tests, gearing up for what was going to be his major surgery today. For those that aren’t aware, Riley was having leg amputated. Definitely not ideal but we had made peace with it and had started preparing for life with a prosthetic. Over the weekend, a couple of days out from surgery, we get a phone call from the surgeon about the scans. Turns out Rileys body has responded extremely well to the chemo, much better than anyone expected. So much so that they changed the surgery plan completely and, all going well, Riley will get to keep his leg! He is now having a very complex bone graft surgery, and we are waiting on a tibia bone to arrive from the US! So surgery in a couple of weeks and until then, back on the chemo train. And so the roller coaster continues!

    Again, thank you all so much for your support. From the messages, donations, meals, helping by looking after Belle, it truly does take a village, and we are all so grateful.

    Chris, Sally, Riley and Belle xx

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 21/04/2026 by Robyn

      Thank you for sharing an update on Riley - we have an electric wheelchair that he is quite welcome to borrow anytime and for as long as he needs - it is not big and bulky - lots of love - Robyn and Graeme Dickey 0273396193

  • Update on Riley

      26 March 2026

    Kia ora everyone,

    We continue to be blown away by the love and support our whānau have received over the last couple of months. From all the fundraisers organised to the generous donations and messages of support, thank you for helping ease the financial pressure so we can focus on him. Riley has also received so many incredible messages of support, including some from his favourite sportsmen, which has been such a boost for him.

    In terms of treatment, Riley has now completed cycle 1 and is halfway through cycle 2 of his chemo (he has 6 cycles to complete). Riley has handled everything thrown at him with so much strength and resilience and we are so proud of how well he is doing.

    He has started ‘school’ through the Northern and Central Health Schools, which has been great to keep him connected with his learning when he’s feeling up to it. That said, he is really missing his school mates and being out on the sports field.

    We have a big month ahead with surgery coming up, and we are holding onto all the positivity and support surrounding us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. To those who have organised fundraisers, sent messages, checked in, or supported us in any way. We are so incredibly grateful.

    Chris, Sally, Riley and Belle xxx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update from the Burch's

      16 February 2026

    Kia ora everyone,

    We wanted to share a little update on Riley’s osteosarcoma treatment journey and, most importantly, to say thank you. We are blown away by the generosity, kindness and support shown to our whānau. Every message, donation and act of encouragement has meant more than we can put into words.

    Your support has allowed us to focus fully on Riley without the added financial pressure of taking time away from work to care for him. Knowing we can be by his side through this without that constant worry is an incredible gift, and we are so deeply grateful.

    It’s been a very big couple of weeks. Riley has had multiple tests and scans, surgeries, and is adjusting to being fed full time through an NG tube. He is also learning to get around using a wheelchair while beginning chemotherapy and managing everything that comes with it. It’s a huge amount for anyone, let alone a young person.

    Despite everything, Riley continues to amaze us with his strength and resilience. We are so incredibly proud of him.

    We’ve now been able to return home/hastings hospital for a short time before heading back to Starship soon for his next round of chemo. It was very special for Riley to be welcomed home by his cricket teammates at the airport.

    Thank you for standing with us. Your generosity is helping carry us through this journey more than you know. 💛

    With love,

    Chris, Sally, Riley and Belle

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Thank you

      4 February 2026

    We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of kindness, generosity, and support shown to Riley and his family. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the page, sent messages, or reached out — it truly means more than we can put into words.

    The love and support from friends, family, and the wider community has been overwhelming, and it brings so much comfort knowing Riley, Chris, Sally, and Belle are not facing this alone.

    We will continue to update this page as we can throughout Riley’s treatment journey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing with this family 🤍

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment