In August 2021, we lost an active member of the NKF community, but the memories and strength of Prakash Modi live on through the spirit of his family and friends who are committed to supporting families affected by kidney disease.

Prakash’s daughter, Amisha, shares her father’s journey with the NKF with the aim to encourage more families to take advantage of home dialysis options available to them, ensuring that life never stands still in the adversity faced. Amisha takes inspiration from the upbringing she and her brother received despite the challenges brought on by kidney disease.

Prakash was a kidney patient for most of his life. He was diagnosed with renal failure in 1988 and adapting to peritoneal treatment was not easy. After continuous infections, it was decided to change his treatment to haemodialysis. A failed kidney transplant in 1991 made the possibility of another transplant one in a million. With this bleak prospect ahead of Prakash, he decided not to let his condition get in the way of providing a secure family upbringing for his children.

In 1993, the hospital supported Prakash to begin home dialysis. With the fortune of a back garden, they set up a portacabin as a mini-hospital. They trained him, his wife Hemlata and their two children to care for him during dialysis treatment. With home dialysis stabilised, Prakash and his wife took the next leap to explore the world and expose their children to a wide variety of cultures. They started off with weekends away at St. Anne’s Home in Emsworth and built this up to weeks and months away on over 30 international trips. This included trips to USA, China, India and New Zealand, showing that if there’s a will, then there’s definitely a way! The family benefited immensely from these adventures, experiencing new places and traditions, and most importantly, establishing a sense of normality. Amisha adds, “we don’t want families to be bound by the constraints of dialysis. My brother and I have benefited from the flexibility of home dialysis, as well as the determination of our parents to travel despite our dad’s medical needs.”

The support of charities such as the National Kidney Federation made this possible. Providing connections with local organisations, as well as vital information about international travel regulations. Amisha continued; “This helped my dad make the necessary arrangements to dialyse across the world.” 

Over the past 30 years, home dialysis technology has become more efficient. With dialysis machines now the size of a bedside table, young parents can dialyse at home and spend more time with their children. The flexibility that home dialysis affords young parents, enables them to make it to school events, as well as fulfilling daily responsibilities such as school drop-offs and homework support. These daily actions contribute to a life-time of gratitude, providing a secure foundation for their children to flourish.

In June, the Modi family will be leading a Sunshine Walk in Richmond Park, in memory of Prakash Modi. Please visit the Modi family’s donation page to give families the opportunity to create everlasting memories, and experiences that will shape future generations: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Amisha-Modi