Nancy Roy, a nurse in the pediatric hematology/oncology unit at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn, considers caring for children with cancer to be a privilege. Here, in her own words, Nancy offers her unique insight into the magic created whenever a brave young cancer patient visits the Treasure Chest.

POTCF: What inspired you to choose a career in healthcare?

Nancy: I wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember. I graduated from nursing school in 1981. 

POTCF: When did you begin working at the hospital and what was your first job?

Nancy: After graduation, I briefly worked in a medical surgical unit. Even though I enjoyed working with adults, I was always drawn to the pediatric population, so I accepted a job at Advocate Children’s Hospital as a pediatric nurse. Eventually, the general pediatric unit that I worked on added pediatric hematology/oncology patients to the unit. 

POTCF: What accomplishment or circumstances have brought you the most pride or satisfaction in your career in nursing?

Nancy: I was initially hesitant to work with the pediatric oncology population as I did not know if I could deal with chronic children who had potentially bad outcomes. As time went on, I realized what a privilege it is to be part of the care team for children with cancer. People often ask me how I have been able to do this job for so long. The answer is simple: taking care of children with cancer and their families is incredibly rewarding. It is an honor to know these families and help them through this most difficult time with their child.

POTCF: How has pediatric oncology changed since you began?

Nancy: Many things have changed in children’s cancer care over the years including better medications to combat side effects, more treatment being done on an outpatient basis, and most importantly, improved cure rates. These changes have been exciting and wonderful to be part of as we strive for better care and cures for these children. Another critical important aspect of care that has been increasingly addressed over the past decade relates to the emotional needs of these children and their families during treatment. It is in this regard that the Treasure Chest Foundation has been so important for our patients. Every child gets a Treasure Chest gift at each visit, even if the child comes to the clinic multiple times in a week. When children have procedures (such as lumbar punctures or bone marrow aspirations) or very long days of treatment, they get to go to the cabinet where we store the biggest gifts from the Foundation.

POTCF: How would you describe the impact on childhood cancer patients of being able to select a toy from the Treasure Chest?

Nancy: Each day I see these gifts lifting their spirits, encouraging them to take their medicine, tolerate their procedures and bringing smiles to their faces as they leave our clinic. It is not uncommon for a child to take thirty minutes or more looking through the Treasure Chest to find the perfect gift at the end of a visit, and their parents are always happy to stay and wait as these gifts are so important for their child’s emotional health and happiness.

POTCF: How has the Treasure Chest impacted you or made your job easier?

Nancy: The Treasure Chest is an important part of helping our patients bond with us and learn to trust us. Unfortunately, our patients need nursing care that is often painful and scary. Frequently during these procedures we talk about the Treasure Chest and what kind of toy the child wants to look for after we are done. This has become an invaluable source of strength for the staff, parents and children. My job would be much harder without the Treasure Chest and the positive effect it has on patients and their families.

POTCF: Does the Treasure Chest have any long-term effects for young cancer patients and their families?

Nancy: Once a child completes treatment, they continue to be seen in our clinic on a regular basis with visits spreading farther apart until eventually they are seen once a year. It is not uncommon for these families to bring armloads of gifts to help replenish our Treasure Chest. Families of children that have completed treatment frequently talk about how important these gifts were for their child and how they would like to help other children going through treatment. I will always be grateful for the Treasure Chest Foundation and what an important role it plays in the care of our children and their families.