Orland Park Dynamic Duo Constructs and Paints Treasure Chest

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was awarded one large, decorated treasure chest thanks to the tireless woodworking skills and artistic skills of Orland Park couple Gordon McGregor and Lorelei Jones. The husband-and-wife team constructed and painted a new treasure chest.

Gordon McGregor, a master woodworker, hand-crafted the large treasure chest, installed the wheels, handles and soft hinges. This is Gordon's third constructed treasure chest for the Treasure Chest Foundation. Lorelei Jones generously donated her artistic skills to skillfully paint the newly constructed Treasure Chest to match the train-themed oncology clinic. The University of New Mexico Hospital will receive the new treasure chest later this month, during the launch of the 63rd Treasure Chest program. The train-themed chest will help brighten up each patient's visit.

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel acknowledged the importance of Gordon and Lorelei's donation. "The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Gordon McGregor and Lorelei Jones for their hard work and generosity. Their gift is very much appreciated and will help deliver joy for years to come to young patients fighting cancer at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico."

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 60 cancer treatment centers in 20 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 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 website at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo caption: Lorelei Jones and Gordon McGregor present the donation of their newly constructed and painted Treasure Chest to the Treasure Chest Foundation. The University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico will receive the new treasure chest this month during the launch of the 63rd Treasure Chest program. The train-themed chest will help brighten up each patient's visit.