Winners of AKF Pediatric Kidney Patient Contest

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) announced in late June that Danielle Long, 13, of Hendersonville, Tenn., won the organization’s art contest for pediatric kidney patients. More than 3,600 people nationwide cast votes in AKF’s online contest to choose a cover artist for AKF’s 2012 wall calendar.

Danielle’s drawing is a vivid depiction of the holiday she loves the most: Halloween. The piece, titled “Halloween Hope,” features a colorful pumpkin and a moth decorated with the American Kidney Fund’s circular logo. At the age of two, Danielle was diagnosed with C1q nephropathy, a kidney disease in which a large amount of protein is lost in the urine. Danielle manages her kidney disease by taking multiple medications every day and making frequent visits to the doctor.

As the cover winner, Danielle will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the American Kidney Fund’s annual national gala, The Hope Affair, on Oct. 25, 2011. All 13 children who were named winners in the contest will have their artwork published in a nationally distributed 2012 wall calendar, and will receive a netbook computer and an education savings bond. The calendar can be purchased at the AKF website in October.

The following image gallery includes the 13 winning pieces of artwork that will be featured in the 2012 calendar.