Dynamic Duo Donates to Help Kids Fighting Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was overjoyed to receive an enormous donation of $1,040 because of the tireless work of Nan Beard and Patti Rose in memory of Nan’s daughter’s and Patti’s girlfriends Cathy and Alison. The legacy of Cathy and Alison inspired a $1,040 gift through family, friends and members of the community. The donation will directly benefit children and teens fighting cancer.

Cathy and Alison’s mom Nan Beard said, “My ambition is to prolong the memory of Cathy Dykstra who passed away in 1995 and Alison Barron who passed away in 1997, my beautiful daughters whose lives were taken while battling cancer. Cancer has had a major effect on my life. It brings me such joy to help others especially pediatric cancer patients who are fighting every day for their lives.”

Tinley Park resident Patti Rose added, “Eighteen years ago I spoke to my friend’s mom Nan Beard about giving back and she introduced me to the Treasure Chest Foundation and thus I started the ‘Remembering Cathy and Alison’ Annual Holiday Toy Drive and fundraiser. When you help someone else, it helps you to forget about the stresses in your life. I do this because of what it does for the kids. The generosity of the people brings tears to my eyes.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel expressed her gratitude for the support shown by this dynamic duo. “We feel so blessed and honored to have the support of Patti Rose and Nan Beard. The donation will help support thousands of children and teens who endure years and years of unending cancer treatments by rewarding the little ones with a toy, gift or gift card after every procedure.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 62 cancer treatment centers in 20 states across the nation and in 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. 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 27th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2020.

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 website at www.treasurechest.org.