James Family’s Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest

Twelve years ago, Taylor James was diagnosed with a form of high risk leukemia, at the age of three. Within days of the diagnosis the James family of New Lenox learned their daughter would require a bone marrow transplant due to her high-risk subtype of leukemia and that they needed to start looking for a bone marrow donor. Their oldest son Matt was found to be a perfect match and within two months of her initial diagnosis, Taylor was undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

Twelve years later, the James family continues to give back to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), the organization that helped Taylor throughout her treatment period, by hosting a Christmas party at their home in New Lenox to celebrate the 12th anniversary of her successful bone marrow transplant. The party attendees were asked to bring a toy for children currently undergoing cancer treatment at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the two institutions that cared for Taylor. Approximately 30 guests were on hand to celebrate Taylor’s 12-year successful bone marrow transplant anniversary. After the party ended 100’s of toys and gift cards was collected to directly benefit children fighting cancer.

Taylor’s brother and bone marrow donor Matt said, “We keep doing this because the smallest things mean the world to kids fighting cancer.” Taylor’s mom Maureen chimed in saying, “Just seeing the smile on Taylor’s face and what a toy could do for her was all I needed to keep this toy drive going every year.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “My heart was especially moved as I could recall the day my son was diagnosed with leukemia. It is hard enough to hear the word cancer let alone that your child needs a bone marrow transplant all in the same sentence. We feel so blessed to have the support of the James family along with their friends and neighbors.”

When asked about the Treasure Chest, Taylor James replied, “It makes me happy to do this year after year knowing it helps other kids through the hard times.”

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 24th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2017.

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:

(L-r): Maureen (mom), Luke (brother age 18), Taylor (15), Taylor’s best friend Junie Sichak (16), Matt (brother and bone marrow donor age 23) and dad Patrick proudly display their donation of toys and gift cards at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse. The toys will bring smiles of joy to 100’s of children and teens battling cancer at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.