from day one and I know I'm on a deathbed from now on. I've had my highs and I have had my lows, but no more. I'm a firm believer that there's a bigger purpose in my life and I am very positive, very happy. In January 2014, he returned to the United States to participate in clinical studies with ALS researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He planned to visit the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Center in New York City, which provides support to MND patients, as Van der Westhuizen hoped to start a similar organisation in South Africa. He set up a charitable organisation, the J9 Foundation, to raise awareness, funds and to support research. He regularly spent time with his children, Jordan and Kylie. A feature-length documentary- Glory Game, directed by Odette Schwegler, followed him for a period while he was dealing with having Motor Neurone Disease. It was broadcast in 2015 on DStv Box Office. On 4 February 2017 he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Fourways Life Hospital in Johannesburg where he was placed on a ventilator. He died at his home in Johannesburg surrounded by his family on Monday, 6 February 2017, at the age of 45. A public memorial service was scheduled for 10 February at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. See also List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 593 References External links J9 Foundation website 1971 births 2017 deaths Afrikaner people Blue Bulls players Bulls (rugby union) players Deaths from motor neuron disease Neurological disease deaths in South Africa Male rugby sevens players Rugby union scrum-halves South Africa international rugby sevens players South Africa international rugby union players South African people of Dutch descent South African rugby union players Rugby union players from Pretoria University of Pretoria alumni World Rugby Hall of Fame inductees