Oak Forest Family Hosts Their Own Superhero Toy Drive

Oak Forest Petraitis Family is giving back to children fighting cancer. The Petraitis Family collected 190 brand-new superhero action figures from family and friends all with the aim of benefitting children fighting cancer. Cathy Petraitis heard of the Treasure Chest Foundation and decided to donate the superhero action figures to the foundation. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation (POTCF), a non-profit organization that provides toys, gifts and gift cards to children and teens diagnosed with cancer nationwide.

Shortly after their successful toy drive, Mrs. Petraitis had this to say, “Children battling cancer are true heroes. Collecting the superhero donations for the kids these past months has been an honor. Thank you for this opportunity.”

POTCF Founder and CEO Colleen Kisel is grateful for the Petraitis Family’s help. “I’m overwhelmed by their wonderful gifts. One of the most requested toys by the kids we serve is an action figure. We are so blessed to have the support of the Petraitis Family.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 61cancer treatment centers in 20 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 27th anniversary of remission from the disease in March of 2020.

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.