Wheaton Teenager Eagle Scout Project Benefits Kids with Cancer

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was recently awarded a hand-crafted drawer storage system thanks to the tireless work of Wheaton resident Ben Czarnecki, who earned his Eagle Scout badge. The project involved designing the shelving wall organizer, securing donations to buy the supplies, budgeting the work and shopping for everything that would be needed. Ben organized, implemented and coordinated the construction project, to attain Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable by members of the Boy Scouts of America. Ben is a member of Troop 35 in Wheaton.

Ms. Kisel, Founder and CEO of the Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Ben Czarnecki for his tremendous donation, stating, “One of our greatest blessings has been the help of up-and-coming Eagle Scouts like Ben Czarnecki. We now have a highly organized system of storing plastic bags. Words can't express our gratitude for this wonderful gift, and we wish to thank Benjamin and all of Wheaton Troop 35 Boy Scouts who contributed to the success of this project.”

When asked about his motivation to help the Treasure Chest Foundation Ben replied, “My mom always talked about the Treasure Chest Foundation. When I heard about it, I thought it was a cool thing and I knew immediately I had to find a way that I could help out.”

The POTCF is a unique organization whose services impact more than 14,600 young cancer patients in 62 cancer 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 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.