The family of a six-year-old from Sutton Coldfield, described as a 'superhero', has been told by doctors that there is 'no other child like him'. Sam Cross was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare and severe condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. Children with similar conditions rarely survive beyond their first week, making Sam's survival remarkable.
Sam's childhood has been marked by major surgeries and 'constant uncertainty'. In his short life, he has undergone three open-heart surgeries and multiple cardiac procedures. Despite these challenges, his dad, Matt, says Sam continues to show 'courage and strength'.
A childhood defined by medical battles
Sam regularly experiences severe fatigue, mental health struggles, issues regulating his temperature, and a weakened immune system. Yet, when he is not in the hospital, he is 'fun and cheeky', according to his dad. "He's like a normal six-year-old who loves his superheroes and Lego," Matt said.
"Captain America seems to be a recurring character for him during play, but when he's in the hospital, we pretend it’s Iron Man giving him a super-suit," Matt added. "He wants to be out there running, playing football, and joining in with his brother, he's just very limited. But, for what he goes through, the courage he shows, and his strength, he is definitely our little superhero."
Support from Acorns Children's Hospice
Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall has been supporting Sam, offering him access to the sensory room and play therapy. His older brother, Noah, has also benefited from sibling support, including a surprise VIP trip to Walsall Football Club, ensuring he doesn't feel lost in the shadow of his brother’s illness.
Sam is now helping to inspire the hospice's Be a Kid Week, which highlights why childhood matters, even when a youngster's life is dominated by medical care. Running from October 5 to 11, the event gives adults the chance to rediscover things they loved as children while supporting the hospice's £5million Time Machine fundraising campaign.
Be a Kid Week and fundraising appeal
By dressing up and enjoying everything from playground games to nostalgic food, puzzles, and silly challenges, people can raise money to help seriously ill children have more opportunities to play, laugh, explore, and make memories. There is no minimum fundraising target, with a free guide packed with ideas and practical support to help people get started.
Uzma Shaheen, senior community partnerships manager at Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: "Sam reminds us that, whatever challenges a child faces, they are still a child first. They deserve time to play, laugh, explore and make memories with the people they love. That’s what Be a Kid Week is all about. We’re asking grown-ups to embrace their inner child and have some fun, so that children like Sam can have more precious moments of childhood and make memories forever with their families."
Acorns' vital role in the West Midlands
Acorns provides specialist palliative care for babies, children, and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. More than 800 children across the West Midlands have been cared for by Acorns in the past year. However, the charity requires around £40,000 each day to provide this support, with more than 75 per cent of that amount coming from donations, fundraising, and income from its charity shops.
Uzma added: "Families at Acorns deserve the chance to be just that – families. Through Acorns Time Machine, we give families time for the important stuff while we take care of the serious stuff. Every donation allows a child to be more than a patient. They can be a rocket ship captain, a fairy princess, a treasure hunter, a space wizard. And, just as importantly, it gives parents a chance to be simply mum and dad and enjoy childhood adventures together as a family."
Those who wish to be involved in Be a Kid Week can download a free fundraising pack online and choose how they want to get involved.
