Mothers Of Childhood Cancer Patients Launch Holiday Toy Drive

PARK RIDGE, IL — Cancer sucks. Especially for kids, especially during the holidays. Three local mothers, Dawn Dolcimascolo, Nicole Voelz and Joanna Schroeder know this better than most. All three have young sons diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and treatment schedules stretching on for months. About a month ago, the trio decided to do something to give young cancer patients a taste of the whimsy all children should get to enjoy over the holidays. In collaboration with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, the three local mothers have started the first annual Advocate Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Holiday Toy Drive.

"Each one of [us] was already planning on doing a toy drive... so we thought getting together we could all make a bigger impact for our hospital and the kids," Voelz said.

Together, the mothers are asking charitable souls to donate new and unopened toys at several locations across the western suburbs, and/or to sponsor gift cards via an Amazon registry or their GoFundMe account.

“Our little cancer warriors are small, but they are mighty, and they know firsthand what a difference a new toy or a special present can do for their spirits! As parents, we want to give that same feeling to other kids that are fighting the same battles our babies are,” Voelz said.

The toys and gift cards will be collected up until Saturday, Dec. 21. On the following Sunday the 22, they will be distributed to childhood cancer patients at Advocate Lutheran General. Meanwhile, the gift card funds will be used to buy gift cards to local stores and restaurants for older children and teenage oncology patients. So far, over $900 has been raised in the gift card funds alone.

"We really wanted to have something for the older kids and teens, because they always get forgotten about in these types of drives," Voelz said. "We also want to have gifts for kids who will actually be in the hospital over Christmas."

The following are locations for physical toy dropoffs:

Skuddlebutts Pizza & Catering
440 Ogden Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Chicago Swim School
2020 E Northwest Hwy
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Evolution Dance Experience
576 N. Michigan Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Fred Schroeder
JC Restoration
3200 Squibb Ave
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

CrossFit Kilter
1840 Industrial Drive #350
Libertyville, IL 60048

For more information, please visit the Leukemia Warrior webpage or contact Nicole Voelz directly at lukasleukemiawarrior@gmail.com.