Founder and CEO Announces Retirement After 27 Years of Service

Oak Forest resident Colleen M. Kisel Founder and CEO of the not-for-profit Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation announced her retirement effective September 1, 2023. Colleen 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. Martin celebrated his 30th anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

From humble beginnings over a quarter-century ago when Colleen first began ‘accumulating’ toys in her garage for eventual distribution to brave young cancer patients across the nation, Colleen’s guidance, leadership and compassion have fueled the hope and spirits of countless families faced with the adversity of a battle against childhood cancer.

Under her guidance, the Treasure Chest Foundation has achieved a consistent, phenomenal level of growth. With the support of the community, staff, volunteers and a dedicated Board of Directors, the Treasure Chest Foundation has celebrated many successes over its colorful history. Among the organization’s amazing achievements, Colleen and the Foundation have been recognized in the nonprofit sector with numerous awards including:

* Generous Work and Service Provided to Children in Cook County - The Cook County Board of Commissioners

* Non-Profit Member of the Year - Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce

* Business Excellence - Daily Herald Business Ledger

* Outstanding Organization Award - Orland Park Chamber of Commerce.

Going well beyond her local recognition, in 2010 Colleen and the Treasure Chest Foundation were featured on America's number-one-rated national newscast, the NBC Nightly News.

These awards, while plentiful and impressive, are the most tangible evidence of Colleen’s accomplishments over a long period of time. But a much less tangible reason for her success—and the remarkable growth of the Foundation—has to be the boundless energy and contagious enthusiasm that she has injected into her job starting with day one.

Colleen has always displayed a remarkable ability to make every single visitor to the Treasure Chest Foundation warehouse instantly feel welcome and important. This innate ability to seamlessly connect with her donors has been an important ingredient in the Foundation’s recipe for success since its inception.

“I’ve been blessed to be able to serve as the Treasure Chest Foundation’s CEO for 27 years,” an emotional Colleen said. “It would be impossible to name all of the wonderful, dedicated, hard-working and generous individuals who have contributed to our success without leaving someone out. Thanks to hundreds and hundreds of caring people along the way, it has been a privilege and a blessing to be a part of the Treasure Chest Foundation and it will continue to hold a special place in my heart.”

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please call 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org