Media Alert

WHAT: The Genis Family will hold its Ninth Annual Jack’s Back Lemonade Stand to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation on Saturday, May 20, 2017. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation opened our 50th Treasure Chest Program located at the Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, Tennessee in honor of the Genis Family of Frankfort, Illinois, whose Jack’s Back Cupcake and Lemonade Stand event is one of our important annual fundraisers. The new program serves 300 children and teens monthly. The Treasure Chest Foundation is an Orland Park-based, non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful procedures to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 50 hospitals nationwide.

WHO: Attendees will have a chance to purchase some tasty lemonade and sweet cupcakes.

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: 7944 W. Laurel Drive in Frankfort

WHY: Last year Jack’s stand raised more than $4,740 for the Treasure Chest. Since its inception this popular event has raised more than $21,800 for children and teens fighting cancer. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation unique services impact more than 12,500 young cancer patients each month in 50 hospitals across 18 states. 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. She discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain and his new world 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.

CONTACT: If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or Shelly Genis at 815-806-0617.