Zip With Us®

Adds a Medical Layer of Comfort 

By Paula Green

When a child becomes medically complex whether from cancer, chronic illness, or frequent hospital care, a parent’s world is consumed by fear and uncertainty. Treatments offer hope but also bring major changes: children feel unwell, miss school and time with friends, and endure ongoing medical interventions. Improving the quality of life becomes critical.

Angela Degnan of the North Hills understands this reality intimately. Her son, Thatcher, now 11, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at age two while the family was on vacation. What began as a sick visit to an emergency room resulted in a transfer to Boston Children’s Hospital and a life-changing diagnosis.

“Thatcher was med-flighted to UPMC to begin his 3.5-year treatment, which included blood transfusions, infusions, chemotherapy, procedures, inpatient stays, clinic visits, home nursing, and many ER visits,” Angela said.

Like most children in intensive treatment, Thatcher received a chest MediPort for his medications, transfusions, and infusions. Port access brings anxiety and pain not just from large needles but also from repeatedly removing clothes for access.

Early in his treatment, Thatcher received a surprising gift: a bright yellow t-shirt with a hand-sewn zipper across the chest, making it easier and more dignified to access his port. A note attached read, “I am someone who has been there before, and I understand the shirt would make a considerable difference.”

When Thatcher wore his shirt, nurses and families noticed. Parents wanted one for their children. That single act of kindness and the impact it had on Thatcher during treatments sparked the creation of Zip With Us®, an organization dedicated to providing comfort, safety, functionality, and dignity to medically complex babies, children, and young adults who rely on medical lines, tubes, ports, drains, monitors, and other medical devices.

“We began piecing together the program we wanted to offer, and how we would make and provide our ZipShirts™ free of charge,” Angela explained. “We received our 501(c)(3) status in 2018 while our son was still in treatment. We made him several ZipShirts™ throughout those years and they remained a cornerstone of his treatment days and an incredible resource.”

Today, Zip With Us® partners with nearly 190 pediatric hospital floors nationwide. Their in-house team nine staff members in Pittsburgh and six in Charlotte, N.C. sews custom-adapted ZipShirts™, Drew’s Cruisers™ onesies, ZipCruisers™, and other garments for medically complex pediatric patients. To meet national demand, they also work with two trusted manufacturing partners: Pro Knitwear in Pittsburgh and Opportunity Threads in Morganton, N.C.

Aware of families’ financial strain, Zip With Us® removes those barriers. Any medically complex patient can order a free garment directly and privately through the website. The head of production reviews each order and works with families to adapt garments to each child's needs. Each shirt combines function, safety, comfort, and the personal touch of someone making it just for them.

Supporting medically complex patients is central to the Zip With Us® mission, and the organization depends on the community. “We thrive because of our sponsors, donors, and supporters who host shirt and onesie drives nationwide to help us fulfill our mission,” Angela said. "If you’re a fitness enthusiast, join team Zip With Us® for the Dick’s Sporting Goods Marathon Run for a Reason program. We welcome donations, connections to foundations or grants, and anyone interested in hosting a drive or fundraiser. We appreciate every gesture.”

Thatcher’s at-home support includes his parents, Angela and Brian; siblings Elle, Hayes, and Esme; and the family’s two dogs, Sunny and Walter. To learn more, donate, volunteer, or fundraise, visit zipwithus.org. Your support makes a difference for medically complex children and young adults.