This year marked the fourth annual birthday run to honour Nathan Gabriel Bewsher’s life and how he saved four people through organ donation.
Gauteng, South Africa (11 March 2024) – Every year, people come together to walk or run in memory of Nathan Gabriel Bewsher. This year marks the fourth annual run for the beautiful young man, taken too soon. His parents honour his memory every year by hosting the run and raising funds for the Organ Donor Foundation.
Nathan tragically lost his life in a freak accident in 2020. His parents, Catherine Jones and Warren Bewsher, chose to donate his organs, and because of that choice, Nathan saved four lives.
Nathan tragically passed at the age of thirteen. He was a fun-loving, dedicated son that was wise beyond his years. He was a fierce and loyal friend that loved playing pranks. Nathan was also a dedicated sportsman and incredibly healthy before his passing. He was pure of heart, and it is that heart that lives on today in someone else.
This year would have marked his 17th birthday. Each year, the family rallies friends, family, and anyone who wants to join their cause to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. To date, they have managed to raised hundreds of thousands for the foundation and encouraged hundreds to sign up as organ donors.
Catherine and Warren started a group where they share all the updates related to their awareness campaigns. The group is called “Giving to Life“.
Since starting the annual running event in Gauteng, there has been a run launched in Cape Town and many supporters are now hoping for a Ballito on for 2025.
Funds are raised through the purchase of running tickets. People participating in the run, purchase a participation ticket and all the funds are then donated to the Organ Donation Foundation to be used to further advocate for organ donation awareness in South Africa.
This year, the run took place on the 10th of March 2024, with two runs happening in Gauteng and one in the Western Cape. After the run, the group celebrated Nathan’s life and the gift he gave four others, at the Pirates Road Running Club. Each participant was gifted a ‘Giving To Life’ stone which they can place somewhere in honour of Nathan or someone they have lost, for someone else to find and rehome. These stones have travelled and have been found all over the world.
You can still support the family and honour Nathan by registering to become an organ donor. Please also follow the group to find out about any more other walks and runs that take place.
Here is how you can become an organ donor:
- Firstly, register online at www.odf.org.za or call the Organ Donor Foundation
on the toll-free number – 0800 22 66 11. - It’s important to inform your family and make it known to them to honour your wishes.
- The most important part of organ and tissue donation is that you undertake to make it known: Ensure you have the conversation with your family, colleagues and your friends.
Sources: Giving to Life
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