Crystal Lake Boy Designs Winning Hospital Gown For Sick Sister

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL –Six-year-old Jack Backe did not like the hospital gowns his infant sister, Everly, had to wear when she was in and out of hospitals for treatment of a congenital heart defect. So, he took matters into his own hands and designed a gown that he thinks Evie will enjoy wearing and make her feel more comfortable during her hospitals visits. He submitted that design as part of a contest sponsored by Starlight Children's Foundation – an organization that creates colorful and fun hospital gowns for children.

In recent weeks, Starlight Children's Foundation announced that Jack's design was their winner and will now be featured on 30,000 gowns.

Those gowns will be donated to hospitals across the U.S. The first recipient of Jack's pink hospital gown was his baby sister. She will get to wear the gown when she undergoes her third open heart surgery in a couple months. Everly has a heart defect that affects only 1 in 100,000 babies.

When asked last month about the clothes Everly has to wear in the hospital, Jack responded: "I hate 'em." Jack's hospital gown is complete with lots of color, hearts and tons of glitter.

Starlight Children's Foundation announced Jack as their winner on April 11. There were 6,000 entrants and Jack learned the exciting news outside of Wrigley field when a gown with his design was presented to him.

"I am so excited," Jack said in an ABC 7 interview.

Starlight Gowns is an organization focused on revolutionizing how children experience hospital stays by replacing stiff, threadbare, embarrassing garments that haven’t changed for generations with soft, bright, breathable, and doctor-approved gowns that kids just love, according to Starlight Gowns. A sick child can wear a Starlight Gown to feel like an astronaut, a scuba diver, or even a character from their favorite movie.

Photo caption: Jack and the hospital gown he designed/Photo via Starlight Gowns press release