Image Credit: Jennifer van der Westhuizen

By Michael Reeve

A LEGACY OF HELPING

Kamloops cyclist’s widow turns to advocacy to cope with husband’s death

Jul 13, 2022 | 4:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — On June 30, Andrew van der Westhuizen passed away from injuries he sustained in a bike accident on May 11. Andrew spent seven weeks in the ICU at Vancouver General Hospital. He is survived by his wife Jennifer and their two young children.

Wednesday (July 13), CFJC News sat down with Jennifer as she searches for meaning in his death through advocacy.

“Him not being with us has to have some sort of reason. Any silver linings that we can grasp at to make that make sense,” said van der Westhuizen through tears.

Jennifer van der Westhuizen suffered the unimaginable — the loss of her children’s father, and her best friend of more than 19 years.

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“He was a very powerful human, but the kindest human. Obviously, I’m a little biased. I married him. Loved him for him. He was one of the kindest people I know and will ever know, I think,” said van der Westhuizen.

Through the loss, she began searching for meaning. That has led her to advocacy for improved bike safety and blood and organ donation.

“The availability of safe bike lanes is a challenge. He wanted to commute to work and he tried various routes to do that — and he did, but he didn’t always feel safe. The roads often have a lot of debris. Just the type of climate we are in, there is a lot of gravel on the sides of the road a lot,” added van der Westhuizen.

The Kamloops Cycling Coalition has taken up the mantle of bike safety in Andrew’s name as they work to improve the active transportation network across the city.

“Anybody who rides a bike in Kamloops has experienced a close call. Almost all of us have had people in a motor vehicle cut us off or had near misses. It was very identifiable for the cycling community. And it was heart-wrenching,” said cycling advocate Deb Alore.

During his time in hospital, Andrew received approximately 100 units of blood and was preparing to receive a liver donation when he passed. Jennifer hopes at least one person may be inspired to donate.

“The only thing that I can do is advocate to help a push for other people to donate when they can, if they can. I no longer can; medically they won’t let me. It’s important to our family to be able to give back something that was given to him by volunteers,” said van der Westhuizen.

Jennifer will be leaving Kamloops, as the memories are just too real as they drive down Highland Road.

Throughout the turmoil, the outpouring of support from Andrew’s many communities, whether that be from his work life at the hospital, his hockey team or the cycling community, has been overwhelming for the family.

“Just seeing the actual impact that he made in all his different communities is really heartwarming. Those are the kind of stories I will be keeping for my kids. My son is only two, my daughter is six. I just want them to grow up and have these anecdotes of the kind of man he was,” said van der Westhuizen.

A memorial ride in honour of Andrew van der Westhuizen is being set up for Saturday, August 6. The event will also serve as a farewell from the community to Jennifer and the family.

“Be safe, hug your loved ones. Donate blood if you can. Register to be an organ donor if that works with your beliefs and your comfort level,” concluded van der Westhuizen.