SULTAN — While awaiting a life-saving kidney transplant, she has managed to land the cover of a national calendar.
Madison Gordon, 18, of Sultan, will have her drawing featured on the front of the American Kidney Fund’s 2015 wall calendar. She was honored at the fundraising organization’s event in Washington, D.C., last month.
“Madison is a gifted young woman who, through her artwork, demonstrates absolute optimism and hope while battling a difficult disease at such a young age,” LaVarne Burton, the fund’s chief executive officer, said in a news release.
Her winning drawing depicts her arm and dialysis tubes that form the shape of a heart.
Madison was diagnosed at 2 months with sacral agenesis, a disorder that prevents the lower spine and tailbone from developing normally. She’s spent much of her life in hospitals, undergoing medical treatments.
Her condition led to kidney failure by age 15. She’s since been doing dialysis.
During the first two years of her battle with kidney disease, her mother, Lisa Gordon, drove her to Seattle Children’s Hospital for dialysis three times a week. Earlier this year, they started doing it at home.
Madison now does the three-hour-and-41-minute treatments five times a week. She’ll continue to do so while she waits for a transplant.
“We’re at the top of the list,” Madison said.
She and her mother have twice been called to the hospital for a potential transplant. And twice they’ve left disappointed because the kidney wasn’t viable.
“At least we can do dialysis until we get a kidney,” Lisa Gordon said. “Dialysis is an inconvenience but you can live without a kidney.”
With all the medical treatments, Madison can’t attend a regular high school. She’s finishing her senior year in an online program through the Sultan School District.
Because she’s often tired, she isn’t involved in as many activities as some of her peers. She turns to painting and drawing to pass the time.
During a particularly difficult treatment, she found inspiration for her winning artwork. Her mother couldn’t get the two blunt needles into her right arm for dialysis. By the fifth try, Madison was ready to give up.
Eventually, the needles went in and the dialysis tubing formed the heart shape. That’s when Madison knew it would be OK.
She decided to capture the heart with a drawing. Later, an art therapist at the hospital suggested she submit it for the calendar contest. After more than 4,200 people voted, Madison’s drawing, “Love Life,” was on top.
The calendar is distributed to hospitals, kidney centers and other places throughout the country. In addition to having her artwork featured, Madison received an iPad, a $100 gift card and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
“They emailed us on April 1 and I thought my mom was lying,” she said. “It was really cool.”
Madison rarely gets to travel because she has to lug a 70-pound dialysis machine, fluids and supplies wherever she goes. She’s also on a restrictive diet and has to closely monitor her fluid intake.
During the trip, the American Kidney Fund arranged for her to receive medical care in Washington. For the first time, she got to visit several landmarks, including the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial and Washington National Cathedral. She dressed in an evening gown to be honored at the American Kidney Fund gala.
“It was really, really fancy,” she said.
Despite her struggles with kidney disease, Madison strives to set an example for others, including her younger siblings, Joey, 17, Henry, 11, Maeson, 9, and Lola, 6.
She plans to become a veterinary technician after finishing high school in June. Three dogs, a cat, a turtle and a bird are under her care at home.
Madison is determined to remain positive and hopeful as she waits for the kidney that will save her life.
“I just keep thinking, ‘It’s going to work,’ ” she said.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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