Taps Pub Sponsors Fundraiser to Fight Cancer

WHAT: Taps Pub in Oak Forest is giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The bar is sponsoring Taps Cares for Kids with Cancer in memory of Alyssa Marie Kent on Saturday, October 18, 2014. No cover, raffles, free food, drink specials, split-the-pot and live music from the Kent Brothers Band opening with Rich Bohne. All proceeds will benefit the Orland Park-based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), 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 card in 48 hospitals nationwide. Alyssa Marie Kent lost her battle to cancer at the young age of 17. Alyssa looked forward to visiting the Treasure Chest after her treatments.

WHO: There will be no cover charge for admission to the event. Adults and children welcome.

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Taps Pub, 15427 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest

WHY: Last year the Taps Cares for Kids Fighting Caner raised more than $2,200 for the Treasure Chest Foundation. During the past two years the Taps Cares Benefit has donated more than $4,600 to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation’s unique services impact more than 9,000 young cancer patients each month in 48 hospitals across 16 states and 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. She discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain and his new world filled with doctors, nurses, chemotherapy drugs, surgeries and seemingly endless painful procedures. Martin celebrated his 21st anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

CONTACT: If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation or the event, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or Taps Pub at 708-535-6374.