A 17-year-old from Calcutta who once suffered from “nephrotic syndrome” and has set up a non-profit organisation to offer assistance to children suffering from the disease was one of the recipients of this year’s Diana Award, which honours young people trying to bring changes and improve others’ lives.
Amey Agarwal, a Class XII student at St Xavier’s Collegiate School, set up Nephrohelp a few years back, a non-profit that has already funded the kidney transplants of two children.
A virtual ceremony was held on June 30 with all the 189 awardees from 31 countries. The recorded messages of Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, were played on the occasion. The award is named after their mother.
The website of the Diana Award says the award “was founded on Diana, Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change their community, their country and the world”.
“Every single one of the young people we are celebrating today have been on their own unique journey driven by their own passions, perspectives and life experiences. What unites them is their courage, compassion and a relentless dedication to improving the lives of others,”said William.
Amey was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, a condition where the body releases too much protein through urine, when he was only two. Around four years ago he came out of the disease and there has been no relapse since.
A doctor said that in nephrotic syndrome, the filtering function of the kidneys is impacted.
“There was a time when I could not walk. My eyes and legs would remain swollen. Gradually my condition improved and I came out of the condition in 2020. There has been no relapse since then,” Amey said on Sunday.
The boy, with help from his parents, also called on children admitted to the Institute of Child Health, Park Circus, with the disease. “The objective of Nephrohelp is to fund the treatment of children who may not afford the treatment and also provide them with mental support,” he said.
Amey said one reason why he visited children suffering from the disease was that they could identify with him and he could identify with them. “
We would talk about our future and how to get out of this condition. It was like two people talking to each other about same problems,” he said.
The Diana Award’s website says that “through their non-profit organisation, ‘Nephrohelp’, they raised funds and sponsorships, enabling successful kidney transplants for two children.
Amey has helped over 300 families with medicines and other necessities.
The website says: “Their inspiring actions have earned recognition from prestigious sources and motivated others to get involved and they’ve even co-authored a book raising awareness about nephrotic syndrome.”