6-year-old boy who spent 340 days in hospital donates gifts for patients

Note to editors/producers: Hi-res photos and video interviews and b-roll are available here.

Cutline information for interviews: 

• Breann Vogt, Asher's mom
• Jessica Danielson, NICU nurse at Banner Children's Medical Center in Mesa

MESA, Arizona -- A little boy who spent 340 days in treatment at Banner Children’s Medical Center celebrated his sixth birthday by delivering a large donation of gifts to young patients on Tuesday at the hospital. 

Family and friends of young Asher Vogt of Gilbert collected about 200 books, stuffed animals and toys in honor of his birthday, which was on Monday. The donation helps patients and families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Since he was treated at the hospital, Asher and his family have donated about 2,550 gifts (including 1,000 books donated by Arizona Milk Producers).

Asher was born prematurely at 29 weeks old, and has chronic lung disease. He spent about eight months in the NICU and about three months in the PICU at Banner Children's, located on the Banner Desert campus. He's in good health and excited to be starting kindergarten this week.

Banner Children’s, part of nonprofit Banner Health, cares for more kids than any other health system in Arizona. From well-child exams to treatment of minor injuries and illnesses to management of chronic conditions, the experienced team at Banner Children’s provides comprehensive, family-centered medical care for every child in Banner Health centers and clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals and outpatient facilities. Services include: behavioral health, cancer care, diabetes and endocrinology, digestive care, emergency care, heart care, neurosciences, primary care, surgery and more. For more information about Banner Children’s services, physicians and locations, visit bannerchildrens.com.