We lost my beloved husband, Kapil, on October 22, 2025, to a then-undiagnosed autoinflammatory disease. Kapil was dada to baby Ravi, son to Srinivas and Malavika, brother to Katya, and a dear friend to many. Kapil's time here was short but incredibly bright; he exemplified what it means to live life to the fullest. He is remembered for his warm and generous spirit, curiosity, intellect, and his big, booming laugh. Perhaps more than anything, he is remembered for bringing people together.

Shortly after Kapil passed away, we learned that he had a rare variation in a gene called RELA. The RELA gene is responsible for making a specific protein that regulates how our bodies respond to stress and illness. A malfunctioning RELA gene can trick the body into thinking it is under attack even when there is no illness or injury present. This keeps the body in a constant state of inflammation, leading to a disease called RELA haploinsufficiency or RELA Associated Inflammatory Disease (RAID).

This disease is very rare and has only been described in medical literature since 2016, so there is a great deal we still don't understand about it. Doctors know that not everyone with a RELA mutation develops the same symptoms. Some experience mild symptoms like canker sores or occasional fevers, while others experience high recurring fevers, chronic joint pain, severe digestive issues, visual disturbances, and organ damage. Symptoms typically develop in early childhood. Right now, there is no standard or universally effective treatment, but there are treatment options that can target inflammation and improve symptoms.

I have since learned that our son, Ravi, carries the same RELA mutation that Kapil had. This is not the news our family wanted, but we also know that knowledge is power. Ravi will have the benefit of early intervention, which should play a crucial role in preventing long-term complications. With ongoing advocacy and advancements in research into this disease, I know that Ravi can have a bright and healthy future, but we need your support.

Finishing Kapil's Race

Kapil was committed to caring for his health. He loved working out at his local CrossFit gym almost as much as he loved bringing people together. After his first surgery and before he was in the ICU, he committed to rehabilitating himself and finishing a Hyrox race within a year. He even told his doctors he'd be back in a year to show them photos of him crossing the finish line. To honor Kapil's life and his passion for fitness, I am joining forces with some of our closest friends to complete a Hyrox race on October 2, 2026. I am racing for Kapil and for our son, Ravi, whose future is so bright. While I am racing to honor Kapil’s commitment to his health and fitness, I am also racing to accelerate the research that will secure a healthier, more hopeful future for Ravi and others living with this disease.

What Your Donations Will Help Achieve

Because RAID is rare and newly described, funding for research is limited. The science we need to better understand and treat this disease exists, but the institutional funding does not.

That's why I'm partnering with the Autoinflammatory Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with autoinflammatory diseases, to raise funds to support research into RELA-associated disease. 100% of your tax-deductible donations will go directly to the Autoinflammatory Alliance. They will hold and steward these funds until they are awarded to medical researchers committed to understanding and treating RAID/RELA haploinsufficiency for our son and the entire patient community.

Our fundraising campaign will end just after race day, and we need your help to reach our fundraising goal before we get to the finish line. Please join our team by making a tax-deductible donation today. Thank you for supporting our family and for helping to ensure that Ravi and the entire RELA community have a healthier future.

The Kapil Melkote Legacy Research Fund

Honoring Kapil's Life by Funding Vital Research to Benefit Our Son and Everyone Living with RELA-Associated Disease