Man Builds Treasure Chests to Help Children Fighting Cancer

Orland Park IL

25 May, 2021

10:42 AM

Description

The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation was delighted to receive three large treasure chests thanks to the tireless work of Meghan Abraham's co-worker, Tom Nordeen. When Meghan read our "call for action" Facebook post, Meghan went to work rounding up builders. When the last saw was unplugged and the drill was switched off, Meghan Abraham brought in three chests from her co-worker, and one from her brother for the Treasure Chest Foundation. Meghan's son Jacob benefitted from the Treasure Chest Foundation's services provided at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn. Tom Nordeen said, "I did not build the chests for the recognition. I built the three chests because I truly love the idea of trying to make kids' lives just a little bit better who suffer from cancer." Some of you will remember Jacob Abraham, Meghan's son. Jacob, a little guy whose treatment for childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer) did not go well and Jacob succumbed to the disease on August 19, 2016. Jacob would have been eight years old this October. The Treasure Chest Foundation is especially grateful to Meghan and her co-worker Tom Nordeen for this tremendous donation. Because of Tom's hard work someday soon we will find a permanent home for his treasure chests." said Colleen Kisel, Founder. 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.