TB Champion Stories
Some of our TB survivors have shared their brave stories of beating TB, as part of short films.
John Green: Live YouTube discussion hosted by John Green,
titled “Talking Tuberculosis, GeneXpert, J&J, and more with MY HEROES”
featuring Phumeza Tisile.
Bart Willems: Setting a national free diving record
after overcoming occupational TB.
Dalene and Arne von Delft: Surviving occupational
MDR-TB after receiving access to Bedaquiline.
Goodman Makanda: Speaking about where he
found support to overcome XDR-TB and the stigma
associated with it.
Lizahn Kemp: Watch as the camera follows her
on an artistic interpretation of her journey with
drug-resistant TB.
Tiong Xun Ting: It took six months for Tiong, a
physician in training to receive her MDR-TB diagnosis.
Here she explains why.
Phumeza Tisile: Is well-known for being the first
South African female XDR-TB survivor. After losing
her hearing due to the treatment, she campaigned
for safer treatment for XDR-TB patients around the
world.
Angela Dramowski: Many people don’t believe that
health workers develop TB, because they don’t see it.
Hear Angela’s story, an infectious diseases specialist,
Paediatrician and TB survivor.
Thato Mosidi: Attending a TB conference in
Barcelona, but this doctor had to stop and take her
XDR-TB treatment.
Zolelwa Sifumba: Shares how she used her own fight against MDR-TB to inspire others.
“Unmasked: We all Breathe” is an award-winning
documentary featuring three of TB Proof members’
personal stories of being affected with drug-resistant
TB.
TB Portrait Stories
Through powerful portraits and personal narratives, individuals affected by TB share their experiences—bringing visibility to their journeys and challenging stigma.
Chauke Jeanah Tumi
Age: 25 | Location: Ga Molepo, Polokwane, Limpopo
“What started as the flu went away—but my voice never came back.”
My journey with TB began one night in November 2021, when I woke up and found I had lost my voice. From that day, my life changed. I went to clinics, I went to the hospital, and for months, I struggled just to breathe, walk, and get through each day. This is what TB did to me—and what it can do to anyone.
D. Chegbo Young
Location: Liberia
When I first heard the words, “You have tuberculosis,” I didn’t understand what they would truly mean for my life. I thought I would need rest, some medicine, maybe a quiet few weeks. I didn’t expect the stares. The whispers. The sudden distance from people I once called friends.
Marisca Reitz
Age: 34 | Location: Wellington, Western Cape “I had MDR-TB, and I found out I had to take 23 pills a day.” My family and close friends supported me so much—they would sit with me and say, “You can do this,” “You’ll get used to it.”Are you passionate about ending TB? Then, we would like to hear from you!
Our group of members include passionate TB activists, TB survivors, healthcare workers and community members. Click Here to find out more information about our membership terms and conditions. This document describes the Core Group membership and the difference regarding Wider Group membership.
Once you have finished reading the terms of reference and would like to be a TB Proof member, please complete the online TB Proof Member Application Form, Click Here. Once we’ve received your application, we will be in touch as soon as possible.