Pretoria man aims to raise organ donation awareness
1,550km run in Spider-Man suit
Inspired by the courage of two Nelson Mandela Bay patients who needed lung transplants, Pretoria estate agent Eric Nefdt completed an epic 1,550km marathon run and walk to Luderitz in Namibia on Friday – all while dressed in a Spider-Man suit.
He is hoping to qualify for the world record for the furthest distance run in a superhero costume.
“My mission is to create awareness, and to encourage people to register as an organ and tissue donor, because anybody can be a hero,” he said.
As August is organ donor awareness month, Nefdt started his epic run on August 4, but has, over the past few days, had to slow down his pace due to blisters on his feet.
“I will run for the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa, and my mission is to be a hero.
“We aim to educate people on how easy it is to become an organ and tissue donor,” he said.
Julie Purkiss, from the Centre for Tissue Engineering, said Nefdt did not personally know Vanessa Neveling or Peter Moore – the two in whose honour he ran – but had met them online and had spoken to Moore when Moore informed him of Neveling’s death.
Neveling died on August 25 due to complications after she had received a double lung transplant.
Her memorial service was held last Sunday.
Nefdt had shared Neveling’s story in a Facebook post and said: “This is why I run”.
“Eric was greatly inspired by Vanessa, and admired her courage, determination and her advocating for organ donation,” Purkiss said.
Nefdt said: “I completed the Comrades Marathon (2017) wearing a Spider-Man suit, where I represented Heart Kids South Africa.
“I also trained for more than a year in the superhero costume in morning rush-hour traffic around the east of Pretoria, to create awareness around CHD (congenital heart disease) and to raise money for little Elisa (a then 2½-year-old, who had already had four open-heart surgeries),” Nefdt said.
“This after my own son was born with a non-severe heart defect.”
The Spinnekop (Spider) 2018 project has received the official endorsement from Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa and it will actively promote the marathon attempt during August (organ donor awareness month).
Moore, who swam 7km on July 7 to raise awareness for organ donation and specifically for Neveling, said he had so much respect for Nefdt.
“What an amazing achievement and he has really created enormous awareness for organ donation,” he said.
Moore is currently in Cape Town awaiting a double lung transplant.
He injured his lungs 20 years ago when he accidentally inhaled chlorine gas while he was rescuing children from a gym where there was a gas leak.
Neveling’s friends and family have decided to keep her Facebook page, Breath of Nessa’s Life, open for now to encourage more people to sign up to become organ donors.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
FREE TO READ | Just register if you’re new, or sign in.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@heraldlive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.