Two Generations of a Family are Gifting Children Fighting Cancer

Tinley Park grandmother Diana Karasek and her twelve-year-old grandson Derek Murray from Homer Glen have been lending a hand by labeling toys and gift cards to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). Long-time volunteer Diana Karasek convinced her grandson, Derek Murray to volunteer at the Foundation.

Diana Karasek who has pitched in at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse over the years had positive reactions to her experience. Diana said, “It warms my heart to know I make an impact on the kids and teens fighting cancer lives.” Her grandson chimed in by saying, “Volunteering is my favorite way to bond with my grandmother while giving back.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel is grateful for the Diana Karasek and her grandson Derek Murray support. Colleen said, “We are incredibly proud to host Diana and Derek who willingly made the decision to work for children fighting cancer. It takes hours to label toys and gift cards.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,300 young cancer patients enduring 20,000 clinic visits each month in 19 states across the nation. 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 25th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2018.

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.