Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center and Crestwood Water Aerobics

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received a donation of gift cards thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of members of the Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center and the Crestwood Water Aerobics family. The fitness, recreation and aquatics facility hosted its annual summer gift card drive. The Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center donated $805 in gift cards and $150 to directly benefit teens fighting cancer.

Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center was established in December of 2000 and has programs for fitness, recreation, aquatics and fun for all ages. Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center member and Treasure Chest Foundation weekly volunteer Dawn Butler said, “We are thankful for the generosity of the members of the Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center. The Treasure Chest is a great cause because no kids should have cancer, but the toys and gift cards bring a little smile and distraction to the children and teens.”

The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to the Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center for their donation of gift cards and toys. Ms. Kisel, CEO and Founder of the Treasure Chest Foundation said, “A special thanks to the Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center and the Crestwood Water Aerobics family along with their friends’ generosity. The toys and gift cards will benefit the young cancer patients we serve.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 16,100 young cancer patients in 66 cancer treatment centers in 21 states across the nation and in the District of Columbia. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Ms. Kisel discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain, noting that when children are diagnosed with cancer their world soon becomes filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 30th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of this year.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 1-708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org