Downers Grove Boy Gives Back to the Treasure Chest Foundation

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) recently received a donation of more than 25 toys thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of a courageous Downers Grove family whose son has benefitted from services provided by the Foundation.

Four-year-old Elefterios Prevett was diagnosed with a rare (DSRCT) desmoplastic small round cell tumor in his right eye. Every time Elefterios has a procedure he picks out a new toy. He has received several toys from the Treasure Chest as part of the Foundation’s ongoing program to provide comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer.

When asked what motivated giving back to the Treasure Chest Foundation Mrs. Prevett replied, “Friends and family kept bringing toys, Elefterios has so many toys and we wanted to share with other kids fighting cancer.”

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

The not-for-profit Treasure Chest Foundation now supports more than 9,300 children and teens each month who are diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy or gift card 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. Colleen discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain. Martin celebrated his 23rd 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.