When they’re young, you wonder why
Some of them make it, some of them die
Day after day, test after test
Find out what's happening in Oak Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Alyssa looked forward to the Treasure Chest
Find out what's happening in Oak Forestfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Those poignant words were written by Michelle Fugiel, owner of Taps Pub in Oak Forest and aunt to Alyssa Marie Kent, who passed away at the age of 17 after her battle with a form of cancer known as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL.
On October 20, Michelle’s bar on South Cicero Avenue hosted an Ocktoberfest event which included free food, live musical entertainment compliments of Droptop, drink specials, a split-the-pot raffle and 30 raffle baskets that raised more than $2,000 for the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). The Treasure Chest Foundation is 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 certificate in 42 hospitals nationwide.
Taps Pub often hosts benefits to help raise money for local charities. In the case of the successful Ocktoberfest fundraiser, Michelle had a very personal reason to host the event and ultimately help ensure its success. “I remember going to the hospital with Alyssa Marie and seeing all the children going through treatment,” said Michelle. “These children deserve to smile, and the Treasure Chest Foundation helps that happen. Alyssa Marie looked forward to going to the Treasure Chest after her treatments and that was usually the only smile she had for that day.”
Jane Perchez, Treasure Chest Foundation Administrative Assistant and Taps Committee Chairperson said, “I am so proud of the Taps family and friends and so impressed by what this small group has achieved in the name of children fighting cancer. It’s just amazing that Michelle was able to draw inspiration from her niece’s memory to help other young children and teens currently undergoing cancer treatments.”
The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 7,900 young cancer patients each month. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. CEO Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Colleen 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 recently celebrated his 19th anniversary of remission from the disease.
If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s web site at www.treasurechest.org.
