Zack’s chance of a new life thanks to fundraisers
THREE-YEAR-OLD TO HAVE SURGERY IN US AFTER DONATIONS POUR IN
A LITTLE boy who has cerebral palsy is about to undergo lifechanging surgery in the US, thanks to the generosity of fundraisers.
People in Heywood rallied round to help Zack Fielding-Smith, after his mum Andrea and family started fundraising so he can have surgery to help his mobility.
Now enough money has been raised to cover the cost of his operation - but the fundraising is still ongoing to help pay for vital aftercare for Zack. Along with his mum and grandma, Zack will fly to St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri in four weeks time to undergo surgery with the world’s leading expert in the field.
The treatment will involve cutting some of the faulty sensory nerve fibres from Zack’s muscles and requires his family to stay in the US for four weeks.
Once he returns from the States, Zack, who turns four next week, will have to spend the next two years undergoing regular and intensive physiotherapy sessions, which need to be privately funded.
Friends and family have been taking part in a variety of activities to help raise more than £30,000 to cover the first stages of Zack’s treatment.
His mum, Andrea, took part in a skydive, while others took part in walks, gigs, sports events and arranged auctions.
The charity Cauldwell Children has also made a large donation.
Zack has stiffness in his limbs, developmental problems and epilepsy and is hemiplegic, meaning he has paralysis on the left side of his body. To the surprise of both his family and doctors, he started to walk just after his third birthday last June, but could lose the ability to do so in the future.
His operation could help him move more easily and prevent his condition from deteriorating.
Andrea said: “It’s very scary now that Zack’s operation is only four weeks away. There are mixed emotions. We’ve had to book his operation now, while he’s young, as he would have needed another one if we’d waited, but we still need one last push to pay for his aftercare.
“I’m absolutely amazed by all the money that’s already been raised.”
To donate to Zack’s appeal, visit campaign.justgiving.com/charity/ just4children/zackssdrjourney