LOCAL inspiration and giant of a man, Henk van der Berg died from cancer just over a year ago but since his death, has inspired an Australian expat he met while living abroad to raise a whopping R30,000 for Khanya Hospice.
Australian Simon Wood conquered the monstrous six-day Marathon Des Sables (MDS) ultramarathon which covers a 250km route through the grueling Sahara Desert.
“My husband, Henk died of cancer,” started wife, Natasha. “We lived in the UAE for some years and while there, expat friends (from Australia, UK, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, Kenya, South Africa and Jordan) were really impressed by Henk’s outlook on life and his cancer fight, and they started running all kinds of races in support of him. Their first support-event was a half marathon in Dubai, and the group known as ‘Half-For-Henk’ was borne.
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A few months ago Simon – an Aussie living in Dubai – asked for permission to run MDS in memory of Henk. Simon, who had already completed six full-distance and 14 half-Ironman events, set off on MDS in April.”
Dubbed the toughest land race in the world, MDS covers 250km through the Sahara. Successfully completing the self-sustaining desert race, Simon also used his MDS challenge as a fundraiser in Henk’s memory, under the hashtag: #HenkStrength.
“Coming from a small country town in Western Australia, my parents taught me to work hard and gave me many opportunities to do what I love. For this I’m forever grateful,” said Simon. “In 2015, I moved to Dubai and was fortunate to meet some new mates. One of these stood out from the crowd – Henk van der Berg.
He loved life and everyone he surrounded himself with. I’m very privileged to have met him and wish we could have shared more moments. I recognised a synergy between my own journey and Henk’s, with his belief, being mentally strong and discipline to fighting an awful disease.
Thus I reached out to his wife, Natasha and asked if I could dedicate running the MDS in honour of Henk, and in the process raise funds for a cause that meant something and would help future people in similar situations.”
In June 2014, while working in Dubai (UAE), Henk was diagnosed with malignant melanoma (cancer). Doctors estimated he had six months to live, saying he would be lucky to see Christmas that year. Through sheer determination and faith, Henk set off on a survival journey that saw him celebrate not one but three Christmases with beloved friends and family.
“During his treatment over the course of three years, Henk still worked and exercised almost daily, even running a few 3km and 5km desert races with friends in Dubai, keeping his and others’ hopes alive that he would beat the dreaded ‘Big C’,” explained Natasha.
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Henk’s wife, daughters and grandson still live in Amanzimtoti.
“While we are still mourning the loss of this giant of a man, it’s amazing to see how he inspired friends from across the globe to be active and positive,” said Natasha.
She beamed at being able to be part of all of this. In addition to the R30,000 donation, a further R6,000 was donated to Cycling for Mobility, a local charity which donates wheelchairs to people in need.
“Henk was a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time, the kindest person who, despite his massive size and strength, loved to just sit back peacefully and watch the world. He loved life and he loved God,” said Henk’s wife, Natasha. “It was ironic that the last few years of Henk’s life was a constant battle for life.
As a health and safety manager, it was his job to keep others alive on their work sites, and ensure they returned home safely to their families. He did this all while battling for his own life, fighting cancer daily, to make it home to his family.”
Simon explained that Khanya Hospice helped care for Henk in his last few painful weeks. “Rural hospices rely on volunteers and donations, so I asked people to dig deep and donate in the memory of Henk. People may not know Henk, but most people know someone who has battled the ‘big C’,” he said.
During Henk’s last few weeks and his painful deterioration due to the spread of the cancer, Khanya Hospice was invaluable in offering support and assistance to Henk and his family. “Their caring assistance included not only providing medical help, nursing care, equipment and medication, but also emotional support without which Henk and this family would have been lost,” said Natasha.
She said Hospice’s Sister Veronica and Neil McDonald were constantly available to provide incredible support. “We are so grateful to the Khanya Hospice team that helped. We could not have gotten through this without them,” said Natasha.
This is a story about inspiration and coming together in love.
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