Lakewood Family’s Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received a donation of a van load of toys thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of a courageous Lakewood family whose son had benefitted from services provided by the Foundation.

Hudson Younge of Lakewood was diagnosed with leukemia in April 2017 just days after his third birthday. When Hudson’s mother, Shelby, saw the positive impact that selecting a toy from the Treasure Chest at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge had on her son, the entire Younge family—with incredible support from the compassionate citizens of McHenry County—launched a huge toy drive to help bring that same relief to other young cancer patients.

Hudson’s mother, Shelby said “When our family began to brainstorm about how to pay it forward and create awareness, we decided that a toy drive would be the perfect way to do this.” Once the idea formed, Shelby contacted the Foundation and the toy drive was born.

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed to have the support of the Younge family and all of their friends in McHenry County. We are extremely grateful.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,300 young cancer patients in 54 cancer treatment centers 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 in March.

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 1:

Four-year-old pediatric cancer patient Hudson Younge loads the Treasure Chest Foundation van with new toys to benefit children and teens the Treasure Chest Foundation serves.

Photo caption 2:

Four-year-old pediatric cancer patient Hudson Younge, Dad Bryan and Mom Shelby, inside their Lakewood home overlooking the enormous donation of toys.

Not pictured: Hudson's siblings Avery, Evan and Braedon.