Brookfield Teenager Eagle Scout Project Benefits Kids with Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was recently awarded more than $3,230 in gift cards, 850 teen items and $25 thanks to the tireless work of Brookfield teenager Michael Fanta. Michael organized, implemented and coordinated the teen drive in memory of his good friend Tyler Blatt who benefitted from the Treasure Chest Foundation’s services. As a result of Michael’s efforts he attained Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable by members of the Boy Scouts of America. Michael is a member of Plainfield Boy Scout Troop 19.

Ms. Kisel, Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Michael Fanta for his tremendous donation, stating, “Because of his hard work and generosity, 1000’s of teens served by the Foundation will be awarded for their bravery.”

When asked about his motivation to help the Treasure Chest Foundation Michael said “I lost my good friend and fellow Scout Tyler Blatt to cancer and I wanted to do something in his honor to help teens battling cancer.”

The POTCF 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 49 hospitals nationwide. 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. 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 22nd anniversary of remission from the disease earlier this year.

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.

Pictured (l-r): Boy Scout Troop 19 members Quinn Tischler, Andrew Steelgrove, Grant Kostrzewa, Joe Prendergast, Zack Mclean, Jack O’Brien, Cole Kostrzewa, John Kane, Caden Hogan, and Eagle Scout Michael Fanta proudly display some gift cards and items collected for teens fighting cancer at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s warehouse in Orland Park.