Seasonal & Holidays
Lakewood Teenager’s Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest
Lakewood Teenager's Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest Foundation
The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received a donation of a van load of toys thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of a Lakewood teenager whose younger brother has 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 brother Evan, a sophomore at Crystal Lake Central High School saw the positive impact that selecting a toy from the Treasure Chest at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge had on Hudson, he launched a huge toy drive to help bring that same relief to other young cancer patients.
The Village of Lakewood, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Athletics in Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake Central High School Kaleidoscoops in Crystal Lake and the Younge Family participated in the toy drive under the watchful eye of Evan Younge.
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Evan Younge said, “Seeing my kid brother go through leukemia was certainly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure. It was three and a half long years of not knowing what would happen. It was clear that the treasure chest day had a tremendous impact on his bravery. It really helped him get through the tough times.”
POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed to have the support of Evan Younge and the support of McHenry County. There are so many kids impacted by childhood cancer today. Just look at what one teenager can do.”
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The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,800 young cancer patients in 63 cancer treatment centers in 21 states across the nation and in the District of Columbia. 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 28th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2021.
If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 1-708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org.
