A Birthday Surprise Brings Gifts to Children and Teens Fighting Cancer

Like any caring family Oak Forest residents struggled with what to do for their beloved husband and father Rick Larson’s 70th birthday. They knew they wanted to honor the milestone occasion in a unique way, but how? The solution finally came to them when they decided to have a surprise 70th Birthday Party and asked the guest to donate toys and gifts to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Rick’s surprise party took place at Aurelio’s Pizza located in Frankfort. Nearly 60 enthusiastic well-wishers attended the party. When the party was over Rick collected $80 in gift cards, $120, toys and gifts for children and teens fighting cancer. When asked about supporting the Treasure Chest Foundation Rick said, “Everyone knows my passion for the Treasure Chest Foundation, and they wanted to help out.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support from the party guests. “The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful for the enormous donation,” said an appreciative Ms. Kisel. “I cannot thank everyone enough for their amazing generosity which will provide toys and joy to hundreds of courageous young cancer patients across the nation. We are overwhelmed by Mr. Larson’s remarkable demonstration of support over the years.”

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.

Photo caption: Oak Forest resident Mr. Rick Larson was overwhelmed by the generosity of nearly 60 guests who donated $80 in gift cards, $120 and toys and gifts in honor of his milestone 70th birthday. Rick Larson is among some of the donated toys, gifts and gift cards at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park facility.