Burbank PupScouts Troop 8 Bark for Joy for Children with Cancer

The PupScouts Troop 8 from Burbank barked for joy when the club delivered a huge shipment of toys and $100 in gift cards to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF) warehouse in Orland Park. The POTCF is a non-profit organization that provides comfort and distraction from painful treatments to children and teens diagnosed with cancer by providing a toy, gift or gift card in 54 hospitals across 19 states nationwide.

PupScouts are like the girl scout/boy scout organizations except PupScouts is strictly for dogs and their parents. The Pup Scouts are all about having fun, earning badges, serving others, meeting new friends and connecting with the parents.

PupScouts Troop Leader Kimmy Bandusky said, “PupScouts Troop 8 is honored to be hosting their 4th annual toy drive. We are happy to be “Pawtnered fur-ever” with the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation and to bring smiles to our super heroes.”

Treasure Chest Foundation CEO and Founder Colleen Kisel expressed her appreciation to members of the PupScouts Troop 8 for their thoughtfulness during this crucial time of the year when successful toy drives can mean ongoing support for thousands of childhood cancer patients. “Every toy the PupScouts donated will end up in the hands of a child or teen battling cancer,” said Colleen. “We are so thankful for their donation and for supporting our mission of providing comfort and smiles of joy to brave young cancer patients and their families.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 13,300 young cancer patients in 54 cancer treatment centers in 19 states across the nation. 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 25th anniversary of remission from the disease in March.

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 web site at www.treasurechest.org.

Photo caption (front row, left to right): The Proud members of PupScouts Troop 8 Terry Maderak and Max, Gina Aalders and Bella, Tyler Colander and Penny (back row, left to right): Troop Leader Kimmy Bandusky and Xena, Maryann Bandusky, Jalen Aalders, Marge Krupa and Flo, Connie Mobley, Stacy Bastounes and Sloopy (not shown) display the gifts collected at the Treasure Chest Foundation’s Orland Park warehouse.