Browse, Shop and Give to Banner Children's Holiday Toy Drive

12/01/2022

100% of donations will purchase toys
kids of all ages—including baby toys,
books, games, puzzles, dolls, race cars,
and even gift cards for teenage patients.

The holidays typically bring much-needed toy donations, enough to stock the Toy Closets at all three Banner Children’s medical centers in Mesa, Glendale and Tucson for the full year. 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 have the option to drop off physical toys (new and unwrapped) to a Banner Children's Medical Center in person or you can make a secure, tax-deductible donation online. 100% of donations will purchase toys for kids of all ages—including baby toys, books, games, puzzles, dolls, race cars, and even gift cards for teenage patients.

Your gifts will help Arizona children bravely battling illnesses like Asher, Mustafa and Charlotte. 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.

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