Ronel van der Berg was only 15 when her life was tragically taken in a car accident on August 18, 1994.
The teen, who was a learner at Hoerskool Johan Jurgens and played for the hockey provincial team, has been described as being a well-loved young lady by her father Johan.
Her story, however very sad, didn’t end with a calamity. Ronel had been an organ donor after being inspired to register as one when watching a documentary.
This would later pave the way for her to save lives.
“She asked her mother at age 10 what it entails to donate after her mother got registration forms from the local pharmacy for organ donations.”
After the accident, Ronel was declared brain dead with no chance of recovery, leaving her parents with the decision regarding her life.
“It was a painful decision to make but it became slightly easier once we were told she would never recover.”
The family, who lived in Endicott at the time, gave their consent and her organs were donated. The Van der Bergs have since met two of her kidney recipients and have kept in touch with them.
Johan says he would love to become a donor but he is unable to because he is a diabetic but encourages others to do so.
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“I advise others to register and donate. It is a gift of life that we experienced through Ronel’s recipients.”
In a heartfelt post on social media, Johan pens a tributary message.
“She would have been 45 years old today. We still miss her knowing that she is with God. The wonder of how her life would have been still exists.”
Ronel left her parents Johan and Daniela van der Berg and two sisters Christel Botha and Yolande Lubbe behind.
