Drew’s Cruisers: A Line to Comfort and Care for the Tiniest Fighters

We are honored and delighted to shine a spotlight on an extraordinary family in our 24 Foundation community. Mandy Slocum – mom to Drew, the namesake behind Drew’s Crew for 24 Hours of Booty Team LIBSTRONG/Drew’s Crew – has embarked on an incredible mission to carry on Drew’s legacy, and bring comfort and peace of mind to pediatric patients and their families. We are proud and grateful for our longtime relationship with Team LIBSTRONG/Drew’s Crew, which is a huge source of inspiration to our organization and mission.

When Drew Slocum was diagnosed at just 5 ½ months old with a rare form of Infantile Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2013, his parents, Mandy and Wes, faced an overwhelming new reality. As part of his treatment, Drew needed a central line surgically placed directly to his heart, a procedure that required careful protection.

“In the moment, I was frantic. said Mandy. “Everything we knew about normal life was gone, and we were quickly thrown into the overwhelming world of pediatric cancer.”

The standard medical Velcro vest they were given after surgery caused discomfort and irritation for Drew, leaving Mandy desperate for a better solution. Realizing this couldn’t be the only option, Mandy came up with an idea: an adapted onesie that would safely secure Drew’s central line while providing him comfort. With the help of a friend, Drew’s Cruisers™ was born.

What started as a simple, homemade solution grew into a lifeline for other pediatric cancer patients with central lines and other medical devices. The first batch was given to families at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital, offering them a way to protect their children’s medical tubing without compromising their freedom to play and develop normally.

A Growing Mission

Since its creation, Drew’s Cruisers™ has expanded in collaboration with Zip With Us® – and its executive director, Angela Degnan – which makes medical apparel for kids with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. From the beginning of January 2024, the partnership has led to the production of over 1,000 Drew’s Cruisers™ that have been donated to over 35 children’s hospitals across the U.S. The adaptive onesies are designed not only for central lines but also portacaths and feeding tubes, offering versatile solutions for various medical conditions and treatments.

Their success is directly related to their team of 10 skilled seamstresses and volunteers in Charlotte who have made their own production line of sewing until recently. Zip With Us® is excited for a new partnership formed with Opportunity Threads factory in Morganton, NC and with Foust Textiles in Kings Mountain, NC for an incredible manufacturing opportunity that will soon be sewing Drew’s Cruisers™ at a larger scale.

“It has been such a fun and rewarding year to get where we are,” Mandy shares. “Seeing our adapted onesie design make such a difference to so many families across the country has brought me closer to Drew.”

How Drew’s Cruisers™ Work

Drew’s Cruisers™ provide comfort, dignity, and functionality for babies and toddlers with cancer and other medical conditions. Each onesie wraps around medical tubing, tucking it safely out of reach, allowing babies to scoot, crawl, and play. They help relieve parental anxiety, reduce the risk of dislodging medical devices, and promote the healthy development of the children who wear them.

“Our goal is to get Drew’s Cruisers™ on every hospital shelf across the country, giving parents peace of mind and babies the freedom they deserve,” says Mandy who is also a family nurse practitioner.

Honoring Drew’s Legacy

Drew passed away on January 2, 2015 at 2 years old. His memory lives on not only through Drew’s Cruisers™ but also through Team LIBSTRONG/ Drew’s Crew. The team is a steadfast supporter of 24 Hours of Booty and has raised over $1 million during their involvement with the event. With this huge milestone, the event’s Kids’ Zone is named in their honor.

While Drew is no longer with us, his legacy of love, comfort, and care will continue to touch countless lives.We are honored to share the amazing work that Mandy and her Zip With Us and Drew’s Cruisers™ team are doing to carry on Drew’s legacy and to support pediatric patients and their families right here in our community and across the country. Angela, Mandy and their team are making incredible strides to help ensure every child fighting cancer has the comfort and dignity they deserve.

How You Can Support Drew’s Cruisers™ by Zip With Us®

• Donate Onesies: Contribute from Drew’s Cruisers™ Wish List
• Become a Sponsor: Help expand this life-changing initiative to hospitals nationwide
• Follow Drew’s Cruisers on social: @drewscruisers & @zipwithus
• Donate to support their mission: https://zipwithus.org/pages/donate