How One 3-Year-Old Inspired DSPTCH’s Most Meaningful Pack

At 3 a.m. in a San Francisco children’s hospital, a toddler named Aero shuffles down the hallway, trailing IV tubing behind her. She’s hunting for the playroom, dragging a medical pump that weighs nearly as much as she does. This scene plays out in pediatric wards across the country—young warriors tethered to life-saving equipment that wasn’t designed for playground adventures or naptime escapes.

Blinatumomab—a name that sounds as complex as the medical breakthrough it represents—offers genuine hope for kids fighting B Cell ALL Leukemia. The treatment delivers results through 28 straight days of continuous infusion. But it comes with a design challenge that would make any gear engineer’s head spin: how do you create a carry solution for a 30-pound patient who needs to stay connected to a medical device around the clock?

So this is where DSPTCH stepped in with the DSPTCH x Aero Pack, inspired by a special young child who rose to a very tough challenge.

A Tailored Solution

When Aero was only two years old, she underwent treatment for B Cell ALL Leukemia. She needed an effective way to carry her treatment equipment, so DSPTCH got to work creating something just right. With input from Aero’s doctors and nurses, DSPTCH created a backpack designed with pockets and loops specifically for her equipment specifications. Not only did the pack hold all her gear securely, but it allowed her to play, sleep, and ride in a stroller or car, knowing her gear was close at hand but still giving her the freedom to live and explore as a young child.  

Richard Liu, founder of DSPTCH, notes: “This project was one of those special moments where opportunity and experience came together at just the right time. We had been spending years thinking about charging cords and cameras and all of a sudden it became medical pumps and tubing. But the team was ready for the challenge. It was nice taking a break from the traditional gear we design for and instead put it towards a real challenge that families are facing.”

“The nurses and doctors we worked with were also all so incredibly kind and excited that we could make quick changes and adjustments to address their feedback, which was a new experience for both of us. We hope this project can show how our world can reach out and affect lives in a way that goes beyond our expectations.”

The pack has ports for tubing and an optional removable insert to hold equipment, providing flexibility to use the bag without the insert as well. The standard DSPTCH x Aero Pack comes in four colorway options including Blue Denim, Juniper Duck, Dot Grid, and Olive Denim.

On the features front there’s an exterior darted utility pocket, an interior zip mesh pocket, a bottle holder (note, the insert must be removed for use), padded shoulder straps, and a sternum strap. The optional removable Blina insert has various straps and pockets to secure treatment equipment.

An additional optional add-on is a shoulder sling strap that can clip to side D-ring mounts, allowing the bag to be worn as a shoulder or crossbody bag. This makes it a versatile carry option for younger and older users alike, able to easily adapt to changing needs and settings.

Going Custom for Added Fun

As part of the launch, DSPTCH have also partnered with creative friends on special limited-edition versions of the bag. The Gene Yang edition features characters designed by award-winning author and illustrator Gene Yang, created for this project and attached to the bag. The ADLC edition is designed by San Francisco-based artist Aaron De La Cruz and includes a set of iron patches to customize the bag. The First Cat in Space edition features characters from The First Cat in Space graphic novel series, written and illustrated by award-winning duo Shawn Harris and Mac Barnett.

Collecting Colorful Cheer

Other playful additions to the collection include the AeroSport Pin, AeroSport Bracelet, and AeroSport Beanie. The AeroSport Pin is a custom-made metal pin, with each pin featuring a unique design and various carefully selected beads.

The AeroSport Bracelet is a beaded elastic bracelet custom-designed by Aero and featuring smiley faces and a mix of beads. The AeroSport Beanie is soft and breathable, made with 100% polyester and a stitched Aero brand patch. 

Good Carry for a Good Cause

The DSPTCH x Aero Pack is made in the USA and will be ready to ship in December 2025. Additionally, 5% of all proceeds from sales of the bag will go towards providing free DSPTCH x Aero Packs to local families in need in the Bay Area who are also undergoing treatment.