Special Feature: Jack's Basket
This week I am THRILLED to talk to you about an organization near and dear to my heart — Jack’s Basket!
“Jack’s Basket is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to celebrate babies with Down syndrome. We strive to ensure that every new and expectant parent is provided resources and avenues of support within the community. We aim to educate medical providers on how to discuss the diagnosis in an unbiased way in hopes that having a baby with Down syndrome is celebrated like any other.
Since March 2014, Jack’s Basket has celebrated over 2,100 babies across 49 states and 13 countries. A Jack’s Basket is a complimentary gift for the family of a baby diagnosed with Down syndrome. We are thrilled to be able to provide these anytime from diagnosis (prenatal or at birth) up to baby’s first birthday. Where available, these are delivered in-person by one of our trained volunteers, each is a parent of a child with Down syndrome; all other baskets are shipped directly to the family home.
In 2018, founder and executive director, Carissa Carroll, in collaboration with Jack’s Basket Board members Dr. Michael Pitt, Dr. Naomi Goloff, Dr. Christopher Carr, authored an article published in the Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics: “When Bad News Isn’t Necessarily Bad: Recognizing Provider Bias When Sharing Unexpected News”. This article was an opportunity to reach the largest national organization of pediatricians and continues to be viewed, shared, and cited. We continue to communicate the 7 strategies for sharing unexpected news with each presentation that our medical outreach team gives to doctors, nurses, social workers, and genetic counselors.
This year we are expanding our reach by bringing on volunteers from around the country to serve as Regional Lead Parents, who connect us with providers in those areas, and Basket Delivery Parents, who bring baskets to families from one parent to another. As we work to achieve our goal of 1,200 babies to celebrate this year, we appreciate the support of the community to share about our mission and programs as well as make basket requests!”
We received our Jack’s Basket just days after getting the news that our son Luke has Down syndrome. The day our basket arrived had been especially tough for me. I was still struggling to accept the diagnosis and understand what Down syndrome would mean for Luke and for our family, and I was feeling overwhelmed by everything I felt I needed to learn. Opening our basket and going through the resources and sweet baby gifts inside was the very first time I remember truly feeling like everything was going to be okay. It wasn’t until later that I learned the organization also works to educate medical providers on how to discuss a diagnosis with families in a positive and unbiased way. This is especially important to me given how negative doctors were with us during my pregnancy with Luke when they suspected he may have Down syndrome. I am forever thankful for the important work the team at Jack’s Basket is doing, and I love the heart behind their mission.
There are a variety of ways to get involved with, and support Jack’s Basket. Via their website, you can request a basket for a friend or family member, or find out how to volunteer. You can also donate via their website, as well as donate items from their Amazon wish list, or make them your preferred charity by shopping on AmazonSmile.
To learn more about Jack’s Basket (and read Jack’s story!) visit them at jacksbasket.org, follow them on Instagram @jacksbasket, and like them on Facebook.
Click HERE if you’re interested in reading the article mentioned above that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.