Jack’s Back Cupcake & Lemonade Stand Benefits the Treasure Chest

The Genis family of Frankfort is giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The family recently held its Tenth Annual Jack’s Back Cupcake and Lemonade Stand at their home in Frankfort to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. The Lemonade Stand raised more than $3,085 for the Treasure Chest Foundation, an Orland Park-based, non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing toys and gift cards in 52 hospitals nationwide. Since its inception this popular event has raised more than $28,000 for children and teens fighting cancer.

The Foundation took the opportunity to honor the Genis family for its loyal support over the years. Our milestone 50th Treasure Chest Program, which opened in October 2016 at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, TN is dedicated to the Genis family.

Jack’s Mom Shelly Genis said, “The heat was sure turned up this year for Jacks Stand but that didn’t keep hundreds of people from coming out to support the Treasure Chest. This year’s motto was “happiness is only a cupcake away” and that held true to the people enjoying the cupcakes and for the kids that will benefit from each sale.”

“The POTCF is especially grateful to the Genis family for their enormous donation of more than $3,085,” said Colleen Kisel, Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation. There are so many kids impacted by childhood cancer today. Just look at what one family can do.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,000 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 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.

Photo caption: Children and teens battling cancer will benefit from the overwhelming success of the Genis Family Cupcake and Lemonade Stand. Pictured (l-r) are the hard-working individuals who helped ensure its success, including Shelly’s mom Debbie Sluis, Dave’s sister Jeanne Genis, Shelly's dad John Sluis, Melissa Holliger, Shelly Genis, Gabe Stromberg, Maddie Genis, Debbie Olszewski, Jack Genis, Paige Molar, Matt Schaaf and Dave Genis.