*MEDIA ALERT*

WHAT: Durbins in Evergreen Park is giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The bar is sponsoring a Durbins Cares for Kids Fighting Cancer Benefit on Saturday, October 11, 2014. All proceeds will benefit the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), a non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 48 hospitals nationwide.

WHO: There will be no cover charge for admission to the event, and highlights will include free food, exciting raffles (including an Apple tablet) and a special split-the-pot drawing and entertainment compliments of Martin and Tony Acoustics.

WHEN: Saturday, October 11, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Durbins, 10240 S. Kedzie Avenue in Evergreen Park.

WHY: Last year the Durbins Cares for Kids Fighting Caner raised $6,000 for the Treasure Chest Foundation. During the past three years the Durbins Cares Benefit has brought more than $10,000 to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation’s unique services impact more than 9,000 young cancer patients each month in 48 hospitals across 16 states and 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. She discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain and his new world filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 21st anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

CONTACT: If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation or the event, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or Durbins Pizza at 708-499-0022.