Jean Gordon
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 12:22 pm
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Makenzie is a spunky Rutherford County three-year-old who loves Bluey and JJ, plus singing and "directing" music, said those close to her. She loves to play. So when she arrived at the Kidsenses InterACTIVE Children's Museum in Rutherfordton recently, she immediately began grocery shopping, a favorite among many children. Choosing veggies, steaks, milk and other things off the shelves, Makenzie placed them in a cart and rolled them to the check-out line.
She giggled a lot while choosing her groceries.
Makenzie is limited to her playtimes and can't be around other children, so KidSenses opened the museum just so she could enjoy the games and activities as other children do.
Makenzie was diagnosed with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2) at eight months old. It is a rare genetic disorder that impairs bile flow from the liver, leading to progressive liver disease. It's characterized by severe itching, jaundice, and failure to thrive. While she has struggled multiple times in the past with failure to thrive, she is currently holding her own while gaining both weight and height. Just recently, she was approved as a candidate and placed on the wait list for a liver transplant. While waiting for a liver, her little body continues to struggle.
Makenzie was recently diagnosed with Hepatic Encephalopathy, which is affecting her brain. Doctors at Atrium Levine's Children's Hospital in Charlotte recommended a life-saving liver transplant.
Local volunteers are raising an estimated $50,000 for Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in honor of Team Makenzie to assist with transplant-related expenses throughout her lifetime.
Judy Ford, Campaign Coordinator, with Children's Organ Transplant Association for Team Makenzie, accompanied Makenzie to the museum, along with other family and team members and discussed Makenzie's dire need for a transplant.
Ford and other organizations across the County are sponsoring fundraisers to help pay the $50,000 cost of lifelong medicines.
"As we wait for that day, (transplant) her little body continues to struggle processing bile, resulting in insatiable itching and discomfort, protein deficiency, and severely extended abdomen," said Ford.
Makenzie's family is working to organize volunteers who are needed to help with fundraising efforts. Visit Judith.ford@rutherfordcountync.gov to get involved.
For more information, visit: https://cota.org/cotaforteammakenzie
In addition to time and gifts, this family really needs prayers.
If you can sell event tickets, find auction items, put a coin canister in a workplace, organize a fundraising event at church, collect used cell phones...then Team Makenzie can use your help.
Bethany Baptist Church is hosting a golf tournament to raise money for Team Makenzie on November 15. Call Donnie Millwood at 828-223-1680 for more information and to play golf.
Contact Campaign Coordinator Ford at 828-287-6322, 828-447-7421.