Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation Opens 63rd Program

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation recently reached a major milestone with the opening of our 63rd Treasure Chest Program at the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This Treasure Chest Program will provide our services to more than 200 brave young cancer patients each month.

The University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico is the only dedicated children’s hospital in the state of New Mexico delivering the most advanced specialty and primary care in the Southwest.

Each new Treasure Chest Program is opened in honor or in memory of one or more individuals whose lives have impacted the success and influence of our Foundation. The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital program is being established in honor of the First Midwest Charitable Foundation in Chicago, Illinois whose belief in the mission of the Treasure Chest Foundation began in 2012 and has since donated over $29,100 to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation.

Shanda Di Antonio, MSN, RN, CPN, and Unit Director at the University of

New Mexico Children’s Hospital shared her thoughts on the Foundation's impact, “The Treasure Chest Foundation has been such a blessing for our sweet kids while so many of them fight for their lives. Being able to bring a smile to their faces as soon as they arrive has been a true joy to watch. We are beyond grateful to the Treasure Chest Foundation for allowing us to be a part of this amazing cause.”

“Each new Treasure Chest Program makes a tremendous impact by providing comfort and enhancing the lives of children and teens who are faced with the adversity of battling cancer. This newest Program reminds us that we are truly blessed to have your ongoing and generous support of the First Midwest Charitable Foundation, and all our donors,” said Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel.

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 708-687-TOYS (8697) or visit the Foundation’s website at www.treasurechest.org.