Nayana’s and family’s story
“As a family we greatly appreciated the support provided by the Hospice as it allowed us to continue to remain as a family unit and not be separated - especially towards the end of Nayana’s life.”
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The family of a Slough hair stylist who died at home in 2025 under the care of Thames Hospice wants other members of the South Asian community to benefit from the individual, clinical, spiritual and psychological support they experienced.
Sanant Kumar and his daughters, Roma, 18 and Lakshmi, 11, are still grieving the loss of his wife, Nayana, who died aged just 48 in June 2025.
He remembers her fondly: “She was a kind, thoughtful and wonderful mother, wife, sister and friend. She was the most beautiful thing to have come into my life, and I can’t forget her. The children and I are blessed to have had the time we spent together.”
Nayana grew up in South India and Sanant grew up in Northern India. They met and worked in South India as hairdressers before moving to the UK and opening a salon in Taplow and moving into their home in Cippenham, Slough. Nayana enjoyed gardening and cooking as well as spiritual singing. She enjoyed keeping fit and dabbled in various sports activities. She participated in marathons, hiking and Indian sports like kabaddi and kho kho.
In January 2025, Nayana was diagnosed with stage four leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer having first complained of stomach pains in August 2024. When, in April 2025, doctors at Churchill Hospital in Oxford said they could not treat her anymore after months of scans, surgery and chemotherapy, Nayana was referred to Thames Hospice.
Both Sanant and Roma recall their initial nervousness about the Hospice referral, given that neither they, nor anyone they knew, had any previous experience of a hospice.
Roma said: “I think in the Asian community it’s not quite as known because I think we tend to take care of our own more.”
A devout Hindu, Nayana wanted to be cared for at home, surrounded both by her family and fellow followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Practically, that meant Thames Hospice arranging for equipment such as a wheelchair and hospital bed being installed in the family’s large living room where it was warm and accessible.
Sanant adds: “Nayana also was a deeply spiritual person and the care from the Hospice also ensured that she could continue her prayers and be surrounded by the ISKCON followers who came to pray with her daily and frequently, something that would not have been feasible if she was in hospital.
“As a family we greatly appreciated the support provided by the Hospice as it allowed us to continue to remain as a family unit and not be separated - especially towards the end of Nayana’s life.”
Thames Hospice’s involvement with the family didn’t end when Nayana died. Both girls have received bereavement counselling. Sanant says both enjoyed their time with Heidi, one of the Hospice’s Children and Families Support team. For Roma personally, it’s made a huge difference.
She adds: “I think the counselling was helpful for me as I don’t really have many friends or people to talk to so having someone there to talk to once in a while was helpful. At that time, I thought I shouldn’t tell my parents anything I’m going through at school, as I thought it would be extra stress for them, so I was hiding things. The counselling gave me a chance to talk.
“This was the first time we’ve been through this so for them to be there and help us and come every day was really helpful.”
Following their positive experience, Sanant and his family want others to benefit from the care and support offered by Thames Hospice.
“Thames Hospice was a lifeline for Nayana and allowed us to enjoy time with Nayana towards the end of her life. We would encourage people going through such circumstances to avail of the Hospice’s care.
“We understood from our interactions with our South Asian community that they do not understand the work of the Hospice well. We would really like us to be used as any example to explore possibilities of spreading the message of the Hospice and its great work in the South Asian community.
“We really appreciated the time and effort put in by all the staff to take such good care of Nayana. What made this care special was that it was available at all times of the day and night. She really appreciated this support especially when she faced extreme and acute pain.”