Benevolent Babies Give to Children Fighting Cancer

The family and friends of Lily, Ben and Max are giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The Gnade family of Frankfort decided to ask friends to bring a donation to their family Rockstar and bowling birthday parties. When the parties were over, Lily, Ben and Max accumulated $410 to donate to The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Mom Tina Gnade said, “My brother was a recipient of the Treasure Chest and the Treasure Chest Foundation is near and dear to my family. My brother has been in remission for 13 years now.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed to have the support of the Gnade family and all of their friends. Today the Gnade family has given back to the Treasure Chest Foundation, and for that we are extremely grateful.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,300 young cancer patients in 54 cancer treatment centers in 19 states across the nation. 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 25th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2018.

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.

Photo caption (L-R):

Five-year-old Lily, four-year-old Ben and two-year-old Max Gnade proudly presents the container of their $410 donation at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse. Their donation will help comfort young cancer patients nationwide.