Mokena Resident Hosts Holiday Toy Drive in Memory of Niece

Mokena resident Mike Doria hosted a creative holiday toy drive Christmas party with the goal of helping children and teens fighting cancer in memory of his niece Kendra. Kendra battled cancer for over ten years of her young life. Mike asked attendees to bring a new toy to his party to help children battling cancer. After the last toy was dropped off more than a van load of toys were donated and delivered to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation warehouse in Orland Park. Mike wanted to do something in remembrance of his niece. Mike has been donating toys in Kendra’s name for more than 19 years.

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We always get many donations this time of year. While it brings us joy to see this outpouring of support, it is a sobering moment when we realize not all families see successful treatments. We are so grateful to Mike for choosing to honor his niece Kendra and give to the Treasure Chest year after year.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,800 young cancer patients in 63 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 28th 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.