Sixth Annual Taps Cares for Kids with Cancer Benefits Children Fighting Cancer Celebrating the Life of Alyssa Marie Kent

WHAT: Taps Pub in Oak Forest is giving to children and teens fighting cancer. The bar is sponsoring its Sixth Annual Taps Cares for Kids with Cancer in memory of Alyssa Marie Kent on Saturday, October 7, 2017. No cover, raffles, free food, drink specials, split-the-pot and live music all night. All proceeds will benefit the Orland Park based Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), a 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 51 hospitals nationwide. Alyssa Marie Kent lost her battle to cancer at the young age of 17. Alyssa looked forward to visiting the Treasure Chest after her treatments.

WHO: There will be no cover charge for admission to the event. Adults and children welcome.

WHEN: Saturday, October 7, from 5:00 p.m. to close. Raffle drawing at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Taps Pub, 15427 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest

WHY: Last year the Taps Cares for Kids Fighting Caner raised more than $2,745 for the Treasure Chest Foundation. During the past five years the Taps Cares Benefit has donated more than $15,800 to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. 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 or the event, please contact Colleen Kisel at 708-687-TOYS (8697) or Taps Pub at 708-535-6374.