Austin, Texas — Former Texas State University angler David Cosner refuses to let a terminal disease stop him from fishing professionally.
Despite suffering from Wegener’s Granulomatosis, a rare disease that attacks his lungs, Cosner plans on fishing as a pro in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens in 2018. Cosner said he has dreamed of fishing as a pro ever since he was 8 years old, and bass fishing has been his therapy in fighting a disease that has led to more than 300 surgeries to keep his lungs working.
Cosner founded the Texas State University bass club and competed for four years in the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series. After graduating from college he has fished in local tournaments and the Central Bass Champs team trail with his father, Don.
When his father asked David what his goal is before he dies, David said he was determined to fish the Opens. “It definitely will be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me,” David said. “It is just amazing the amount of support and just the positive thoughts fellow anglers and all my sponsors and everyone else has given me in supporting my dreams.”
A GoFundMe page with an original goal of $16,000 was established to help David pay for entry fees and expenses to compete in the Opens. Donations have surpassed both the original goal and a reset goal of $21,900.
“I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart from my angling family to my family to CHIVE (the charitable organization that helped promote his GoFundMe page) and Dude Products,” David said. “They are just helping me to realize a dream that I have had since I was a kid.”
Donations to help David Cosner fulfill his dream can be made on his GoFundMe page.
