Chicago Girl Hosts Family Toy Drive for Kids with Cancer

Chicago girl Leilani Villaseca (age 9) is giving back to children fighting cancer. Leilani collected brand new toys and gifts from family and friends during the Christmas holiday season all with the aim of benefitting children fighting cancer.

Leilani donated a van full of toys and gifts. Shortly after her successful toy and gift drive, Leilani visited the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse and shared her experience, “I wanted to bring a smile to all the kids who have cancer. I don’t want them to think about being sick,” said Leilani.

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel is grateful for Leilani’s help. “I’m overwhelmed by Leilani’s remarkable demonstration of thoughtfulness and leadership,” said Colleen. “When most 9-year-old girls are asked what they want for Christmas, they respond with a list of items for themselves. Leilani sponsored a toy drive for children who endure years and years of cancer treatment. We are so blessed to have her support.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,300 young cancer patients enduring 20,000 clinic visits each month 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.

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.