Elkins girl’s drawing received the most votes in national ‘Calendar Kids Art Contest’ for pediatric kidney patients

ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, UNITED STATES, April 21, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- After three weeks of online voting, 14-year-old Skyler Moats of Elkins, West Virginia, is the winner of the American Kidney Fund’s (AKF) annual art contest for pediatric kidney patients, putting her drawing on the cover of AKF’s 2018 calendar.

Dozens of children and teens with kidney disease from across the United States submitted their artwork for this popular annual contest which is now in its 22nd year. AKF’s Calendar Kids Art Program provides an opportunity for pediatric kidney patients to express themselves through artwork and to receive national recognition while increasing awareness of kidney disease throughout the United States.

Skyler was one of 13 finalists whose artwork was featured on AKF’s website for three weeks during which members of the public could vote for the drawing they thought should appear on the cover. Nearly 4,000 people voted and Skyler’s drawing, “A Fighting Chance,” came out on top with almost 800 votes. Skyler’s drawing was designed to be a symbol of strength and hope for kids like her who are battling kidney disease.

“I wanted to let people know that with kidney disease, you can’t give up. You can’t worry about what’s going to happen. You just have to do what you need to do to get through it,” said Skyler.

AKF’s 2018 calendar featuring Skyler’s winning artwork on the cover will be published in October and available for purchase on AKF’s website, KidneyFund.org. Skyler will be an honored guest at AKF’s annual gala, The Hope Affair, in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 4.

“The drawings from children and teens living with kidney disease that appear in our annual calendar are filled with hope, despite the serious health challenges these young artists face,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “Skyler’s positive outlook is very inspiring and we congratulate her on being selected as our 2018 cover artist.”

Skyler was diagnosed with kidney disease in fifth grade. Now a ninth grader at Elkins High School, Skyler’s kidney disease has progressed to stage 4. In spite all of her health obstacles, Skyler is upbeat and keeps a positive attitude. She enjoys spending time outdoors and she plays both the guitar and ukulele. Skyler lives with her two sisters and grandmother, and had a pre-transplant evaluation on April 19. She hopes to get a kidney transplant before her kidneys fail.

About the American Kidney Fund
As the nation’s leading nonprofit working on behalf of the 31 million Americans with kidney disease, the American Kidney Fund is dedicated to ensuring that every kidney patient has access to health care, and that every person at risk for kidney disease is empowered to prevent it. AKF provides a complete spectrum of programs and services: prevention outreach, top-rated health educational resources, and direct financial assistance enabling 1 in 5 U.S. dialysis patients to access lifesaving medical care, including dialysis and transplantation.

For more information, please visit www.KidneyFund.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Alice Andors
American Kidney Fund
240-292-7053
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