When Zander and his family attended a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for their local high school’s baseball team, Zander wished they were serving his favorite food, cheeseburgers, instead of spaghetti. He asked his parents, Lindsay and Bill, if they could host a cheeseburger dinner fundraiser for kids with special needs like him. Lindsay and Bill knew right away they had to make Zander’s vision a reality.
They decided to use Zander’s idea to fundraise for the Free Care Fund at UPMC Children’s. The Free Care Fund exists to support patients receiving the care they need, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Support for the Free Care Fund helps provide parents with peace of mind and the stability of knowing that, no matter a family’s finances, every child will have access to the care and treatment they need.
Lindsay and Bill know the uncertainty and strain that comes with having a child in the hospital.
Zander’s Journey at UPMC Children’s
At five months old, Zander had to have ear tubes placed in his ears followed by many visits with the Department of Audiology at UPMC Children’s due to not passing a newborn hearing screening.
In addition to hearing impairment, Zander wasn’t reaching typical milestones like crawling and walking. Lindsay and Bill took Zander to the Brain Care Institute to get more information. Neurologists at UPMC Children’s diagnosed Zander with Chiari Malformation and Sagittal Craniosynostosis, which are both conditions related to the size and shape of the skull. He had his first major surgery at 2 years old, a cranial vault reconstruction, reshaping the skull to make more room for Zander’s brain to grow.
Then, in 2019, Zander had another surgery, this time to treat his submucous cleft palate. “That particular surgery opened the doors for Zander to be able to speak and annunciate words to better communicate with everyone around him,” says Lindsay.
After several years with no complications, Zander was back in the hospital in 2023, following a routine MRI which showed an issue, called a syrinx, related to the Chiari Malformation. Zander would need another surgery.
And finally, in 2024, Zander had another surgery to repair a hole in his heart.
In 2025, Zander received great news at all of his follow-up appointments and is cleared for only annual visits in every specialty he sees.
Giving Back with Zander’s Burger Bash
When Zander had the idea to raise money for kids with special needs like him, Lindsay and Bill knew right away it would be for kids at UPMC Children’s. “We have been seen by almost every department, and we’ve met some really great people. Our family is familiar with this hospital, and through all the tests, procedures, visits, and surgeries, we found a feeling of comfort,” says Lindsay. “There are a lot of children and families who are not as fortunate as we are, and when Zander had the idea of a burger bash, we knew UPMC Children’s would be our number one donation choice.”
On Zander’s 11th birthday, the family held Zander’s Birthday Burger Bash at their local Slovak Club. “Our family and friends helped to patty 600 burgers, cook 300 pounds of french fries, and serve almost 500 meals in one single day,” says Lindsay. Through meals, auctions, raffles, and donations, Zander and his family raised $26,432 for the Free Care Fund. They even got to present their check live at the KDKA Free Care Fund Telethon!
Supporting More Kids Like Zander
About their support of Free Care, Lindsay says, “there are so many families facing medical diagnoses and decisions, but some are not as fortunate as others financially. The Free Care Fund provides life-changing funds for children and families who truly need it. Zander may not be where he is now without the expert care and knowledge of the doctors we’ve seen. We couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for our experiences.”
“We are so happy we are able to give back and that our family, friends, and community rallied around us to make our fundraiser so successful. We cannot wait to do it again in 2026.”
Feeling inspired? Get involved in fundraising for patients and families at UPMC Children’s today!
