Fort Wayne Family's Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest Foundation

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) recently received a donation of more than 250 toys and 25 gift cards thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of a courageous Fort Wayne family whose son had benefitted from services provided by the Foundation.

In 2009, Ryan Branscome was diagnosed with (ALL) acute lymphocytic leukemia one month short of his third birthday. On that day, the oncology nurses at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN brought young Ryan 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. Ryan is now nine years old and has remained cancer free since his last visit.

Throughout the ordeal, Mrs. Branscome noted how the anticipation of receiving a toy had helped Ryan endure countless painful treatments, and it was with gratitude for those moments that the Branscome’s recently hosted their sixth annual family and friends toy drive to benefit the children and teens undergoing treatment for cancer at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN.

The attendees were asked to bring a new toy or gift card for the children and teens currently undergoing treatment at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne IN. Approximately 20 families—essentially all of the people who supported Ryan and his family during his cancer treatment—were on hand for the momentous occasion.

When asked what motivated such a successful event to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation Mrs. Branscome replied, “Our motivation is to keep this great organization going! We think it is important to give back to the community and show our children ways to do that. We want other children and teens to have something positive to look forward to after a long treatment, another spinal tap, another blood draw or another hospitalization.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed to have the support of the Branscome family and all of their friends. Today the Branscome 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 is on course to celebrate his 23rd anniversary of remission from the disease 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.

Photo caption:

Nine-year-old pediatric cancer patient Ryan Branscome has plenty of toys to select from the Treasure Chest at Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne IN.