Saint Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society Helps Children with Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) was overjoyed recently to receive an enormous donation of $1,450 from the Saint Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society in Palos Heights. The Society members hosted a “Take and Bake Sale” fundraiser to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation, an Orland Park-based non-profit organization that provides toys and gifts to children and teens diagnosed with cancer.

The Saint Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society is an organization whose primary purpose is aimed toward philanthropic endeavors and programs. The Society provides for the disadvantaged and assists the church in many ways. In this instance, Society members baked an impressive array of Greek meals and pies and later sold the frozen dishes to church parishioners.

Ladies Philoptochos Society Vice President Toula Georgiopoulos said, “We will continue with this significant giving because of our love for our children that are afflicted with cancer. We want to give them joy by receiving beautiful items while they are recovering.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed and honored to have the support of the Saint Spyridon Ladies Philoptochos Society. Their donation will help support hundreds of children and teens who endure years of cancer treatments by rewarding the little ones with a toy, gift or gift card after every procedure.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 16,100 young cancer patients in 66 cancer treatment centers in 21 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 30th anniversary of remission from the disease in March.

If you would like further information about the Treasure Chest Foundation, please contact Colleen Kisel at 1-708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org.