Children's Miracle Network

Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital

Branen Gordon
Mellen, Wisconsin

Branen Gordon

Imagine finding out that your newborn baby has been diagnosed with an inherited life-threatening disease. When Dennis and Erin Gordon learned that their infant son’s test had come back positive, they thought their world was tumbling down. Instead they discovered their world was blessed with a determined, energetic and optimistic young man. Along with brother, Bray, the Gordon family relies on hope – hope that Branen will have a long and healthy life ahead of him.

Written by Branen

Hi, my name is Branen Gordon. I’m 11-years-old and I’m from Mellen, Wisconsin. I’m in the 5th grade at school and my favorite subject is math. I spend time with my family and friends and I love sports, especially football. I enjoy camping, 4-wheeling, playing basketball, traveling with my family and playing with my dogs, Shelby and Morgan. Oh yeah, and by the way, in case you already didn’t know, I have Cystic Fibrosis.

When I was one month old, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis or CF. I don’t remember anything about that time so I just know what my mom and dad have told me. I was born with CF and there is no cure for CF. Because of my CF, I have to take a lot of medications, do chest PT twice a day and nebulizers too. CF makes my body make extra mucus that will get into my lungs and digestive system. That’s what makes me sick. Sometimes I have to go to the hospital for a “tune-up”, just to help me get through any sickness that is too tough for me. I go to the hospital at least two times a year and I’m there anywhere from one to two weeks.

I have spent a lot of time in the hospital and have made many friends with the doctors, nurses and staff, especially the Child Life staff. Danielle is my child life specialist and she makes sure that I have everything that I need when I’m at the hospital, including doing my homework. There is so much to do and enough to keep me busy in-between my medications and therapies. And that is because of the Children’s Miracle Network. Because of them we have things like Playstation, Xbox and Wii. We get to watch movies in our rooms and will get to go to the treasure chest after a procedure. I still have my very first stuffed animal that I ever received from Child Life. I got it after a procedure when I was two years old.

I am so glad that we have Children’s Miracle Network and everything that they do for us kids here at the hospital and at home, if we need it. Without them, I would be so bored in the hospital with nothing to do, except bug Danielle! Thank you for support ing Children’s Miracle Network. Without your donations and the time you volunteer, we wouldn’t have this at all. Thanks to all my doctors, nurses and the Child Life staff and thanks to my mom and dad and my whole family. All of you make my life with CF easier!

Patti Shafto-Carlson
Director of Development - Children's Services
cmn@ministryhealth.org