Community Rallying to Help 11-Year-Old with Cerebral Palsy

Emily Progin, PR and Communications Coordinator

eprogin@helphopelive.org / 800.642.8399

COMMUNITY RALLYING TO HELP 11-YEAR-OLD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Zoë “Has Taught Us So Much About Hope and Perseverance”

CHICAGO, Ill.—The family of 11-year-old Zoë Sparks just wants one thing: for Zoë to grow up feeling active, healthy, safe, and part of her Chicago community. To get there, they will need to cover the significant out-of-pocket expenses associated with Zoë’s spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. They’ve launched a trusted medical fundraising campaign in partnership with the national nonprofit Help Hope Live to garner community support.

Zoë was born with multiple diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, a chromosomal deletion, epilepsy, asthma, and a restrictive lung disease. Cerebral palsy affects each child differently—in Zoë’s case, she is non-verbal, unable to walk or engage in day-to-day activities without assistance, and in need of 24/7 caregiving to remain healthy.

Though she cannot speak, Zoë brings joy, life, and connection to her family and community. She is bubbly and always smiling, and she loves music, audiobooks, and spending time with her three siblings—a four-year-old sister, a six-year-old brother, and a 13-year-old sister. They live in Bronzeville in Cook County, where Zoë attends Jane A. Neal Elementary School.

The family loves to connect with their local community, including by visiting Kennicott Park together and getting ice cream every Friday at Jeni’s.

At home and at school, “Zoëy is a wonderful burst of positive energy,” says mom Sierra. “She leaves everyone she meets with a warm feeling and her wonderful smile.”

Cerebral palsy will play a progressively larger role in Zoë’s health over time. Her family wants to ensure she can grow up feeling safe, active, and welcome in her community.

Some of the key expenses associated with Zoë’s wellbeing and care are not fully covered by insurance. That’s why her family has turned to the trusted nonprofit Help Hope Live. Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/20530/

Some of the key costs that make fundraising a necessary part of Zoë’s life are travel to and from medical appointments and custom-made durable medical equipment.

“She’s taught us so much about hope and perseverance,” says Sierra. Now, it’s time for the community to give some of that hope back to Zoë.

Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be managed by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $172 million to pay patient expenses.

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