Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce Help Kids with Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently received toys, gifts, $95 in gift cards and $50 to benefit children fighting cancer thanks to the tireless work of the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce. The Orland Park-based non-profit foundation provides comfort and distraction from painful treatments to children and teens diagnosed with cancer.

The Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual holiday party at the Whistle Sports Bar and Grill in Tinley Park. Each guest was asked to bring a new unwrapped toy, gift or gift card to benefit children undergoing cancer treatments. Guests enjoyed dinner, deserts and an open bar along with raffles.

Chamber President Brandy Cafarelli said, “I’ve been to the Treasure Chest Foundation warehouse, and it is amazing. Anything we can do to help the kids is our pleasure.” Executive Director Jeff Metzger chimed in by saying, “I would have helped out with or without the Chamber. I have relatives who have been afflicted by cancer. I know the kids need our help to cheer them up.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel expressed her appreciation, saying, “The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful for this enormous donation. Thanks to the generosity of the Tinley Park community children fighting cancer will continue to be rewarded with a toy, gift or gift card for their bravery.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,800 young cancer patients in 63 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 28th 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.