Orland Park Fire Protection District Helps Extinguish the Pain of Childhood Cancer Treatments

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) recently received 1000’s of toys to benefit children fighting cancer, thanks to the tireless work of the Orland Fire Protection District Stations 2, 4 and 5. The Orland Park-based non-profit Foundation provides comfort and distraction from painful treatments to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy or gift card in 50 hospitals nationwide.

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel expressed her appreciation, saying, “The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful for this enormous donation. Thanks to the generosity of the Orland community and the hard work of the Orland Fire Protection District, thousands of children fighting cancer will continue to be rewarded with a toy or gift card for their bravery.”

Orland Fire Protection District Fireman Jerry Slisz said, “The Treasure Chest Foundation is a great organization that helps children going through a rough time in their lives.”

The not-for-profit Treasure Chest Foundation now supports more than 10,000 children and teens each month who are diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy or gift card in 50 hospitals nationwide. Nowhere else in the nation does such a program exist. CEO Colleen Kisel founded the organization in 1996 after her then seven-year-old son Martin had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1993. Colleen discovered that giving her son a toy after each procedure provided a calming distraction from his pain. Martin celebrated his 23rd anniversary of remission from the disease earlier 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 web site at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo Caption: Orland Park Fire Protection District Fireman Jerry Slisz proudly poses at the Orland Park Treasure Chest Foundation warehouse in front of a truckload of toys which will benefit young cancer patients nationwide.