In Memory of Zack
Donation protected
My name is Jessica, my daughter Holly who is awaiting a heart transplant in Crumlin hospital made a great little friend named Zack. He came in to Crumlin hospital for heart surgery in November, he fought so hard but lost his battle on February28th 2019 at 3 years of age. We and other parents of children with Congenital Heart Defect have set up this page to help Zack's amazing family with the financial costs of their long stay in hospital and with their beautiful little boys funeral.
Here Is Zack's story written by his wonderful mammy April.
Our son Zack was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome just a few weeks before birth. We didn’t know what to expect but knew we wanted to give our baby every fighting chance at life. On the 8/2/16 our precious little boy came into the world weighing 6lbs 14 ounces. He had the biggest eyes and the most beautiful red hair. We just couldn’t believe that he was ours and it was after this we knew we needed him to stay. We needed Zack to be strong and brave because we couldn’t imagine our lives without him and that’s exactly what he did for so long. The first 6 months were tough on him, he was so sick & spent the majority of those months in Crumlin Hospital. He had two open heart surgeries called the Norwood and Glenn. When he was strong enough to come home, we had two years of "normal" life and our little family went on so many adventures together. We tried our best to give Zack and his big sister Kyra the best memories but mostly to spend time with each other. When you have a child, who has a serious heart condition you just don’t know when you might take that last picture in the park or give them that last kiss goodnight. Myself and his dad Christopher did our best to give Zack the life he worked so hard for -they were the best times of our lives.
On the 12/11/18 our almost 3-year-old boy went to have his Fontan, the final stage surgery available to him. Although we knew it was coming nothing prepared us for the months ahead. The surgery itself seemed to have been successful but a few days later Zack began to struggle. He spent just over 2 months in ICU and was hit with one thing after another. Christmas day he spent on life support, our hearts were breaking but we knew he had it in him to get through it. After been told 3 different times our boy was going to pass away, he didn’t, he used what strength, courage and bravery he had, and we finally made it back to the ward/ Children’s Heart Centre.
The day we got there Zack started getting back to himself a little, over the days and weeks he began to improve. He was smiling again, laughing even playing with his toys. He even got a girlfriend named Holly. We celebrated his 3rd birthday and met Spiderman his Idol, thanks to the great staff in Crumlin - It was one of the best days. Zack was still on a lot of medication for his heart, but home was talked about for the coming weeks or months however long it would take we didn’t care.
Then on the 26/2/19 Zack was been taken for a procedure as he had done many times before, but something was different, he was just so tired. I held his hand, kissed him and told him to be strong as the anaesthetic made him fall asleep. An hour later we got the call to say he was in difficulty. We were told that Zack wouldn’t survive the next couple of hours & to get Kyra and family to come say goodbye.
Zack woke after some hours to say his goodbyes and on the 28/2/19 after putting up such an amazing and courageous fight the day came when we had to give our boy the last kiss goodnight and our precious blue-eyed little boy fell asleep forever.
Our lives will never be the same without Zack, but we would have rather known him loved him and lost him then never have known him. Zack brought so much love & magic into our lives and to those around us. He always made us laugh and was the sweetest most sensitive boy. Having Zack made us see life so differently and we’ll cherish the memories and take him with us everywhere we go.
We love and admire you so much Zack. You made us so proud, you are our real-life superhero.
April, Christopher & Kyra
Spiderman visiting Zack on his 3rd Birthday.
Kyra & her little brother Zack
April, Holly, Zack & Jessica visiting the fish tank in Crumlin hospital
Holly & Zack swopping Valentines cards xxx
Sleep Tight little Zack x
Here Is Zack's story written by his wonderful mammy April.
Our son Zack was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome just a few weeks before birth. We didn’t know what to expect but knew we wanted to give our baby every fighting chance at life. On the 8/2/16 our precious little boy came into the world weighing 6lbs 14 ounces. He had the biggest eyes and the most beautiful red hair. We just couldn’t believe that he was ours and it was after this we knew we needed him to stay. We needed Zack to be strong and brave because we couldn’t imagine our lives without him and that’s exactly what he did for so long. The first 6 months were tough on him, he was so sick & spent the majority of those months in Crumlin Hospital. He had two open heart surgeries called the Norwood and Glenn. When he was strong enough to come home, we had two years of "normal" life and our little family went on so many adventures together. We tried our best to give Zack and his big sister Kyra the best memories but mostly to spend time with each other. When you have a child, who has a serious heart condition you just don’t know when you might take that last picture in the park or give them that last kiss goodnight. Myself and his dad Christopher did our best to give Zack the life he worked so hard for -they were the best times of our lives.
On the 12/11/18 our almost 3-year-old boy went to have his Fontan, the final stage surgery available to him. Although we knew it was coming nothing prepared us for the months ahead. The surgery itself seemed to have been successful but a few days later Zack began to struggle. He spent just over 2 months in ICU and was hit with one thing after another. Christmas day he spent on life support, our hearts were breaking but we knew he had it in him to get through it. After been told 3 different times our boy was going to pass away, he didn’t, he used what strength, courage and bravery he had, and we finally made it back to the ward/ Children’s Heart Centre.
The day we got there Zack started getting back to himself a little, over the days and weeks he began to improve. He was smiling again, laughing even playing with his toys. He even got a girlfriend named Holly. We celebrated his 3rd birthday and met Spiderman his Idol, thanks to the great staff in Crumlin - It was one of the best days. Zack was still on a lot of medication for his heart, but home was talked about for the coming weeks or months however long it would take we didn’t care.
Then on the 26/2/19 Zack was been taken for a procedure as he had done many times before, but something was different, he was just so tired. I held his hand, kissed him and told him to be strong as the anaesthetic made him fall asleep. An hour later we got the call to say he was in difficulty. We were told that Zack wouldn’t survive the next couple of hours & to get Kyra and family to come say goodbye.
Zack woke after some hours to say his goodbyes and on the 28/2/19 after putting up such an amazing and courageous fight the day came when we had to give our boy the last kiss goodnight and our precious blue-eyed little boy fell asleep forever.
Our lives will never be the same without Zack, but we would have rather known him loved him and lost him then never have known him. Zack brought so much love & magic into our lives and to those around us. He always made us laugh and was the sweetest most sensitive boy. Having Zack made us see life so differently and we’ll cherish the memories and take him with us everywhere we go.
We love and admire you so much Zack. You made us so proud, you are our real-life superhero.
April, Christopher & Kyra
Spiderman visiting Zack on his 3rd Birthday.Kyra & her little brother ZackApril, Holly, Zack & Jessica visiting the fish tank in Crumlin hospitalHolly & Zack swopping Valentines cards xxxSleep Tight little Zack x
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica O#039;Mahoney
Organizer
April Frahill
Beneficiary
