A Full House for Crossbasket House: Zack’s Story 

Lauren and Jordan’s son Zack was born with a blood sugar disorder, and was transferred from Forth Valley to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow shortly after he was born. Lauren and Jordan were able to stay at Crossbasket House during this time.

Zack turned 1 in February and, in celebration of his first year, his parents held a bingo night fundraiser where families and friends attended and supported the family. They exceeded their initial goal and expectations and raised an incredible £4,615 for Crossbasket House! 

This is their story, as told by Zack’s Mum, Lauren:

Zack’s Hospital Journey

“Our son, Zack, arrived early via emergency c-section, weighing 4lb 13oz. After showing persistently low blood sugar levels for a few days, Zack was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow where he started treatment for Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI).

“CHI is a rare condition that affects approximately 1 in 28,000 babies. The more milk Zack took, his insulin supply kicked in and did not stop, therefore dropping his blood sugar to a dangerously low level. Through extensive treatment, his blood sugar level stabilised and we came home as a family just before Mother’s Day – it was the best gift I could have wished for! 

“Zack is the world to us, and we can’t thank the Crossbasket House team enough for being a lifeline to us all – it really is a home away from home."

“Now, just over a year down the line, we believe Zack may have outgrown this condition. Zack also has caudal regression syndrome, meaning his lower spine was not correctly developed when he was born. We were told they didn't know if he would be able to walk, and if he did, he might need support. However, he has now started trying to walk and move around. He has ongoing treatment for caudal regression, but is otherwise a happy wee cheeky chops, with a big personality!”

A Home Away from Home

“During his time in the hospital, we were very fortunate to stay at Crossbasket House for 14 nights. 

“Crossbasket House provided us with a crucial lifeline as we were within the grounds of the hospital rather than having to travel back & forth from Alloa."

“Staying at Crossbasket House allowed me to walk to the ward in time for the doctors rounds first thing in the morning. It was especially vital when my husband returned to work and I couldn’t drive. 

“The House has so many home comforts and amenities. For example, there was a phone in our room with a direct line to the ward, which gave us peace of mind during the night. The kitchen and cleaning facilities were also amazing. 

“We cannot even begin to describe how much the House means not just to us but to other families as well. This is reflected by some previous families leaving messages on the blossom tree which I personally found incredibly comforting to read.”

Giving Back

“We wanted to give back to the House as a thank you for our time spent there, so we arranged a Charity Bingo & Raffle Night in aid of Crossbasket House, and to raise awareness of Zack’s condition. 

“We were overwhelmed by the love, support and donations gifted from our friends, families and businesses to make our fundraiser possible. We had an initial target of £1,200. In total, we raised a whopping £4,615 for the House. 

“This incredible amount could allow another 4 families to stay for the same duration we did. We cannot say thank you enough to everyone who has supported and helped us raise this mind-blowing amount.”

The family also left a blossom on the tree for other families staying with us:

“Feel Courageous, Stay Hopeful, Be Inspirational! – Love, Zack x”