Student Nurses at Lewis University Call the Shots for Kids with Cancer

The Student Nursing Association (SNA) and student nurses at Lewis University in Romeoville are calling all the shots for children and teens fighting cancer. The SNA and student nurses at Lewis University hosted a spring toy and gift card drive to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. This is the fifth year the nursing students are supporting the Treasure Chest Foundation.

Lewis Student Nursing Association's mission is to enrich the student nurse's academic experience by providing community, leadership and professional development opportunities through service. That is exactly what the members of the SNA did when they recently hosted a spring toy and gift card drive collecting $30 in gift cards, gifts for teens, toys and volunteered to label and categorize the toys to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF). The toys and gift cards will comfort children fighting cancer across the nation.

Student Nursing Association Member and toy drive chairwoman Jill Albia said, “It was great to bring joy during these tough times. I am passionate when it comes to helping kids.”

Student Nurse Angel Andanar chimed in, “I want to work with kids when I graduate.” Student Nurse Cathy Fiori said, “How can you not want to help this great cause.” Ms. Kisel, Founder of the Treasure Chest Foundation said, “The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Lewis University Student Nursing Association members for their donation of toys and gift cards. We are blessed to have their support.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 15,300 young cancer patients in 64 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 29th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of this year.

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.