Browse, shop and give to Banner Children's Virtual Toy Drive

12/01/2023

100% of donations will purchase new,
age-appropriate toys for hospitalized
kids of all ages.

Now is the perfect time to give back to kids in our community by helping to stock the Toy Closets at all three Banner Children’s medical centers in Mesa, Glendale and Tucson for all of 2024! After a challenging procedure, treatment, or when achieving a milestone, children get a trip to the Toy Closet to choose their own toy to keep—offering them a bright spot while they’re in the hospital.

This year, you can help keep those closets brimming with the joy of toys – and, you can do it with ease from your computer or mobile device.

We invite you to make a secure, tax-deductible donation online to our virtual toy drive. 100% of donations will purchase new, age-appropriate toys for hospitalized kids of all ages—including baby toys, books, games, puzzles, dolls, race cars, and even gift cards for teenage patients.

You can also start your own fundraising campaign for the Toy Closets, set a personal goal, and invite family and friends to support you with our free online tools available here.

Your gifts will help Arizona children bravely battling illnesses like Asher, Mustafa, Charlotte and Piper. Read more about their inspiring stories below:

ASHER

6-year-old Asher was born at just 29 weeks gestation and, due to chronic lung disease, spent almost his entire first year of life in the neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric intensive care unit at Banner Children's at Desert. “Everyone at Banner that helped Asher is truly our hero,” says Asher’s mom, Breann. “He received amazing care and they took such good care of us.” Today, Asher is a Kindergartner, enjoys playing and reading with his brother, Colton, and is in good health. He returns to Banner each year on his birthday with his parents, Breann and Jesse, and big brother Colton, to deliver a large donation of gifts for young patients and families.

MUSTAFA

At just 15 months old, Mustafa was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin, which can be treated through a bone marrow transplant, but a suitable donor must be found. Only 30% of children who need a bone marrow transplant have a matching donor in their family. When Mustafa’s younger sister, Mian, was born, his family received incredible news: She was a 100% bone marrow matching donor. At age 6, Mustafa received a bone marrow transplant from Mian at Diamond Children’s Medical Center in Spring 2021. Within a month of his transplant, he has not received any blood transfusion. “They handle everything professionally,” Mustafa’s father, Omar, recalls during his family’s experience at Diamond Children’s. “I always appreciate what they do, because they go the extra mile.”

CHARLOTTE

Five-year-old Charlotte, a brave and spunky, full of life little girl was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 4. Since her diagnosis, she has been undergoing treatment at Banner Children’s at Thunderbird. Charlotte’s journey to cancer recovery has been made gentler by a Child Life Specialist, Lauren, who she has quickly bonded with and nicknamed, the “Fun Doctor”. Lauren has been by her side – playing games to calm and distract her, while preparing Charlotte for upcoming treatments and procedures.

PIPER

Piper, 8, received the 2023 Banner Children’s Healthy Hero Award at this year's Pulse of the City Soiree. Two years ago she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma that was successfully treated, only to return as stage 4, high-risk, metastatic cancer. After extensive treatment at Banner Children’s and a brave battle for the entire family, Piper is now in a category known as NED: No Evidence of Disease.

A child’s trip to the toy closet to choose their own toy means the world to them. Thank you for your support.

To support the Virtual Toy Drive and/or host your own online fundraiser, visit below.