Josh Potaka

My Red Socks Challenge for Kidney Health is for my late Dad

❤️ 60KM FOR MY DAD — IN HONOUR OF REN ❤️

I’m taking on the 60km challenge in honour of my late dad, Ren, a man who showed incredible strength, courage and positivity throughout a battle with kidney and renal failure that lasted more than 12 years.

For over 12 years, Dad spent countless hours in dialysis — six hours, twice a week, for years. He knew that, because of his circumstances, he would never be eligible to receive a kidney transplant. Yet somehow, even while facing that reality himself, Dad always found a way to put other people first.

Every time new patients came into dialysis, Dad would make friends with them, reassure them and encourage them. He would tell those who were fortunate enough to receive a kidney to go and live their lives — to make the most of every opportunity and to live a little bit for him.

That was Dad.

He was always positive. Always reassuring. Always looking for a way to lift someone else up, even when he was the one carrying an enormous burden.

The nurses absolutely loved him and his energy. Dad had a way of making people feel comfortable, making them laugh and reminding them that there was still so much life worth living.

Behind the scenes, Dad also worked hard to make sure his family was looked after. He put things in place so that we would never have to worry and always tried to protect us from the hardships he was facing himself.

Sadly, after so many years of pain and treatment, there came a day when Dad told us he had had enough. He made the incredibly difficult and brave decision to stop his dialysis treatment.

Seven days after making that decision, my beautiful dad grew his wings and left this earth, bound for heaven. ❤️

It was one of the hardest things our family has ever had to understand and accept. But we know it was his choice, and we know how incredibly brave that choice was after everything he had endured.

Today, we hold onto the comfort of knowing that Dad is finally pain-free.

He may no longer be here physically, but he is never far away. He lives on in our memories, in our hearts and in the decisions we make every day.

We miss you every single day, Dad. ❤️

This challenge is about more than walking 60km.

It’s about carrying Dad’s story forward.

It’s about raising awareness of kidney disease, dialysis and the incredible impact kidney donation can have on someone's life.

And most importantly, it’s about doing something Dad would have done himself — helping other people.

I’m taking on this 60km challenge in Dad’s name to raise funds and awareness for the kidney foundation and to help support people and families going through the same journey Dad faced for so many years.

If Dad could leave us with one message, I believe it would be simple:

Keep going. Stay positive. Look after each other. And if you’re lucky enough to be given another chance at life, go and live it.

So this 60km is for you, Dad. ❤️

For every dialysis session.
For every painful day.
For every person you encouraged.
For every nurse who loved your energy.
For every life you touched.
And for the legacy you left behind.

60km for Ren. 60km for Dad. ❤️

Until we meet again, Dad.
We love you. We miss you.
And we’ll carry you with us every step of the way. ❤️

Please donate to support a better future for people with kidney disease. ❤️