TEAM RICHARD

Helping People With CF Live Longer, Healthier Lives 

Our Roots

Team Richard was formed in late summer of 2011 by Matt Rogers, David Bennett, and Mark Wagner following the death of their life-long friend from high school, Richard Bjork.  Richard was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the age of four and battled the disease until his death at the age of 45.  At the time of his diagnosis, his life expectancy was not much more than 18.  Richard graduated from high school and went on to graduate with a degree of chemistry from Bates College.  On Mother’s Day 1996, at the age of 30, Richard received a double lung transplant, one of the first ever in the country and the first to be performed in Boston.  He became a restaurant owner, husband, and father.  Richard was a remarkable, giving man and dear friend whose spirit has taken residence in and travels with us. 

Our Goals

Team Richard’s mission is to stir conversations about and awareness of the disease and raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), whose research efforts have led to breakthrough drugs and therapies that have extend the lives of CF patients.   Team Richard has primarily raised money through its participation in the CF Cycle for Life event held each October in Holliston, MA.  In 2016, Team Richard also started participating in the CF Great Strides event held in Chicago, IL, Cleveland  OH and NYC.  While Team Richard’s participation at the moment is limited to these locales, these events are held across the nation each year.   The team has rode over 3000 miles, walked over 130 miles, and has contributed over $72000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s search for a cure.  Team Richard has grown from it original 3 participants to many more supporters and contributors.

Our Logo

Bill Bjork, Richard’s younger brother and avid sailor, created this beautiful version of the compass rose, a centuries old aid in navigation, and it has since been adopted by Team Richard as symbolic of us finding our way to a cure and betterment of life with CF.  The smaller, wavy points of the compass represent the rays of the sun (a hopeful sailor’s weather) and are emblematical of the goal to create more and better days for CF patients.  The red rose on the logo is positioned 65° from true north, emblematical of the 65 Roses, the symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  Together, these symbols represent Team Richard’s tireless efforts to continue riding, continue walking, and continue supporting any efforts that might “add tomorrows” to CF patients and one day a cure.