As told by Levon’s mother, Elaine Madison
“Levon was born with kidney disease but it didn’t present itself until he was three or four. As time went on, his kidneys deteriorated.
“I was hurt and terrified, but we went through the steps to get on a donation list. We were told it could take anywhere from six months to a year to receive a donation. I prayed and read my Bible to encourage myself and my son. I knew there was a kidney out there for him.
“Maybe a month after being on the list, Dr. Vineeta Kumar called to make sure we were all squared away for Levon getting a kidney.
“Happy is not even a word I can use when I found out he was getting a kidney. I was thrilled. Then I found out it was from a live donor. I was even happier then.”
“Levon had his surgery on July 17 and it went well. Dr. Carlton Young performed it at Children’s of Alabama.
“Levon was nervous and scared, but never said it on the days leading up to surgery. I told him it’s ok to be scared because God was going be with him.
“We found out that his donor wanted to meet us. It didn’t matter to us who it was. The first time we met Chalice, Levon was in the ICU. I can’t describe how I felt other than saying I was overjoyed. She did something that I thought nobody would do. She gave him a chance at a normal life. We cried, hugged and took pictures. We talk all the time. To meet someone who gave my son another chance at life is amazing.”
Levon Madison - 48
“Happy is not even a word I can use when I found out he was getting a kidney. I was thrilled. Then I found out it was from a live donor. I was even happier then.”