Oak Forest Family’s Generosity Gives Back to the Treasure Chest

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) recently received a donation of 236 Barbies thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of an Oak Forest family. The Petraitis Family reached out to friends, family and even strangers and asked for a donation of a Barbie doll after being blessed with their daughter Chloe. The Petraitis Family decided to help little girls fighting cancer.

When asked what motivated such a successful event to benefit the Treasure Chest Foundation Cathy Petraitis said, “We wanted to help the wonderful people at the Treasure Chest Foundation deliver toys and happiness to as many children as we could.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel said, “We feel so blessed to have the support of the Petraitis family and all of their friends. We are extremely grateful. Two years ago, the Petraitis Family collected 30 Barbies, this year the family collected 236 dolls. What girl does not like a Barbie doll?”

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.treasurechst.org