New Lenox James Family’s Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest

Seventeen years ago, Taylor James was diagnosed with a form of high-risk leukemia, at the age of three. Within days of the diagnosis, the James family of New Lenox learned their daughter would require a bone marrow transplant due to her high-risk subtype of leukemia and that they needed to start looking for a bone marrow donor. Their oldest son Matt was found to be a perfect match and within two months of her initial diagnosis, Taylor was undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

Seventeen years later, the James family continues to give back to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), the organization that helped Taylor throughout her treatment period, by hosting a contactless toy drive at their home in New Lenox to celebrate the 17th anniversary of her successful bone marrow transplant. The James family, friends and neighbors were asked to drop off a toy in a collection box out in front of their home in New Lenox. After the last toy was dropped off 100’s of toys, $20 and $110 in gift cards were collected to directly benefit children fighting cancer. Their donation will benefit children currently undergoing cancer treatment at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the two institutions that cared for Taylor.

Taylor said, “It is rough for anyone to go through cancer treatment, especially kids. To be able to put a smile on their faces means the world to us.” Taylor’s mom Maureen said, “Way too many people we know and love have been affected by cancer. This is our way to give back to kids battling cancer.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “My heart was especially moved as I could recall the day my son was diagnosed with leukemia. It is hard enough to hear the word cancer let alone that your child needs a bone marrow transplant all in the same sentence. We feel so blessed to have the ongoing support of the James family along with their friends, family and community.”

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 29th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2022.

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.