My experience with this organization is that they are genuine and appreciate each donation that is received. The Founder herself wrote me a thank you note for an in-kind donation. I had no idea of the scope of their organization they way the Founder made me feel so special. I was just helping kids with cancer and she is thanking me for a small donation. One day, I was in the facility and a little boy came in with his mother. He was too sick to pick out a toy one day at the hospital, so Colleen, the founder, told him when he felt better, he could come to her and get a toy. His mother took off his knit cap to reveal a bald little head. He had a scar where he had endured surgery on his head. He was tired after searching for the perfect toy, but he smiled and I realized, in that moment, the magnitude of this organization's mission. "The hope, dream and goal of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation is to have a treasure chest in all pediatric oncology facilities in the nation. With your help and support, this dream will become reality. The Treasure Chest program allows cancer patients (ranging in age from birth through 18 years) at 49 children’s cancer treatment centers to choose an age appropriate toy as a reward for having the courage to undergo painful but necessary procedures. Smaller toys are stored in a Treasure Chest and designated for children undergoing simple procedures like blood tests. Larger, more expensive gifts are stored in a cabinet and designated for those children experiencing extensive, painful procedures such as spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations. Currently, The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest program comforts over 9300 children and teens each month."
There are so many places that need help, but POTCF is such a blessing and I appreciate what they are doing to infuse joy in to the lives of kids with cancer.