Frankfort Girl Celebrates Birthday by Giving Her Presents Away to Children Fighting Cancer

Sophia Pacini is giving to children fighting cancer. Sophia (age 7) of Frankfort decided to give away her birthday presents. Seventeen friends and family attended Sophia’s birthday party at Sky Zone in Orland Park. When the last partygoer jumped, Sophia decided to donate some of her birthday presents to The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

When asked why she wanted to help the Treasure Chest Foundation and young cancer patients Sophia’s response was, “Because I want to be nice and give my presents to kids who are not as fortunate as my family.”

“Most little girls want the latest dolls or games for their birthday, but Sophia wanted to help kids fighting cancer,” said Colleen Kisel, Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation. “I certainly appreciate Sophia’s generosity and the toys will benefit the young cancer patients we serve.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 12,500 young cancer patients each month. 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 24th 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.