Zumbathon Zooms Along for Teens Fighting Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received a donation of gifts, $215 in gift cards and $10 for teens fighting cancer thanks to the rhythmic beats and generosity of the Tinley Fitness Center Zumbathon participants. The Zumbathon was held on January 11 at the Tinley Fitness Center. 18 members of the center participated in the event powered by passion and energy. The Zumbathon was organized by Tinley Fitness Center Instructors Gina Williams and Nancy Evens.

Tinley Fitness Center is a full-service health club offering state of the art cardiovascular and strength equipment, group exercise classes, a four lane 25-yard lap pool, personal training and a member nutritionist. A Zumbathon is a special Zumba extended length event that is usually held to support a cause.

The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to the Tinley Fitness Center Instructors Gina Williams and Nancy Evens for spearheading such a remarkable fundraiser that brought in gifts, gift cards and $10 for teens fighting cancer. Ms. Kisel, CEO and Founder of the Treasure Chest Foundation said, “A special thanks to all the participants’ generosity. The donated gifts will benefit the young cancer patients we serve.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,000 young cancer patients in 58 cancer treatment centers in 20 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 26th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2019.

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.