Roscoe 8th grader Ashton, flown from the Dominican Republic to Madison, has died

Update on Jan. 13:

On January 9th, Ashton's birthday, Ashton was transported by air ambulance to UW Madison Children's Hospital from the Dominican Republic. Since Ashton arrived back in the US, he has been surrounded by his loving family including his parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and friends. Tests performed both in the Dominican Republic and in the US have shown that the events Ashton endured over the last two weeks were too great for his brain to endure and as a result has suffered irreparable damage.

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Ashton was pronounced dead on January 12, 2025, at 3:45 PM. Although devastating, Ashton will be providing joy and the gift of life to others by donating his organs. This process will begin Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Ashton will be honored for these gifts via a honor walk through the hospital at 9:30. Ashton had a great passion for adventure and exploration and he will be remembered for his love of traveling to new places and shared experiences with family, his dog Luna and friends, like playing airsoft, trap shooting, Fortnite with friends, being outdoors and exploring the unknown. He had a love of Nike shoes and had worked to obtain quite the collection. He loved to spend time researching his interests including WWII, shoes and neurology. We are unable to fully express the gratitude and thanks for everyone who is helping and supporting us through this crisis. We would like to celebrate his amazing 14 years of life and will share the details once we know more.

Update on January 10 2025 - We are so grateful that we were able to get Ashton to the states. His dad arrived with him early this morning. His mom will arrive tonight about midnight. I am with Ashton at the children’s hospital in Madison, WI. Please pray for miracles for Ashton! We are overwhelmed with your continuous love, prayers and support during this horrific time. Matt is relieved he can be with Ashton and hospital provides updated info continually.
We are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for all of your prayers love and support to get us through. To get the latest updates and to donate, go to the GOFundMe page HERE.

Ashton and his family were on a cruise when this medical emergency struck, and unfortunately, they had to disembark in the Dominican Republic to get him urgent care. During surgery, doctors discovered a perforation in his stomach.

Ashton, an 8th grader at Roscoe Middle School, is currently in the Critical Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Dominican Republic. 

Ashton has experienced multiple life-threatening complications. His heart has stopped twice, and he stopped breathing at one point. He is on a ventilator. After undergoing surgery, doctors discovered a perforation in his stomach. He is now septic, on dialysis, and on a ventilator, all while fighting to survive. While in the Critical Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the Dominican Republic, he was put into a 72-hour coma to help him heal and fight as well.

The situation is dire, and despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Ashton cannot be airlifted back to the United States due to the risk it would pose to his fragile condition. His family has been staying in a hotel near the hospital. He is not stable enough to airlift to the States yet.

The family is working tirelessly to get Ashton safely back home, but they need your prayers now more than ever as they navigate this difficult journey. To get the latest updates and to donate, go to the GOFundMe page HERE.

They are asking for your support to help cover the cost of Ashton’s medical treatment and the associated expenses. Every prayer, every donation, and every share of this campaign helps bring Ashton one step closer to recovery. Your support means more than words can express.

Patty O’Banion, Ashton’s Grandmother, has started a GoFundMe page to help her grandson and his family in the fight for his life. To get the latest and to donate, go to the GOFundMe page HERE.

Please continue to keep Ashton in your thoughts and prayers. With your support, we can soon transport him through a medical air ambulance to bring Ashton home from the Dominican Republic.

Thank you for being part of this journey, your loving prayers, and any contribution you can make. It makes a difference; together, we can help Ashton fight this battle.

With heartfelt thanks, Patty, Ashton's grandmother