At the age of 17, while a senior at MacArthur High School, John Theissen was diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor. He turned his life-altering experience into positive energy that he used to help hospitalized children with his Toys for Sick Children Drive.

In 1989 Theissen underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor and was hospitalized over the holidays. It was at this time that he met a 7-year old girl who had Leukemia. According to Theissen this little girl's family never came to visit her in the hospital so his family "adopted" her. When it came time for the hospital Christmas party the little girl's family, who were supposed to bring her, never showed up so Theissen's parents brought her down to see Santa Claus. When it was the little girl's turn to tell Santa what she wanted for Christmas all she asked for was a Teddy Bear for John, who was too sick to go down to the party.

This little girl, who he never saw again after being released from the hospital, was the beginning of a legacy for Theissen, who is a lifelong Levittown resident. He was so touched by this experience that in 1992 he founded Toys for Sick Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping sick children. The goal of the organization is to provide children's hospitals and child-care facilities with recreational and therapeutic equipment. These items enable children to feel more at home during their stay, and according to the organization literature, "provide the children with a means of entertainment and relaxation, and they offer the children the comfort of having activities available both in the playroom and at bedside."

Since 1992, Toys for Sick Children has collected over 100,000 new toys for children, ages infant to 18. Last year, according to Theissen the organization collected over 30,000 toys and this year, the toy drive, which ran for three weekends in December, fared even better. Besides collecting even more toys than ever before, in just three weeks the organization also raised over $15,000. With that money they buy televisions, VCRs, video games, arts and crafts supplies, high chairs, and strollers for the facilities. This year the organization has also bought $500 gift certificates to Roosevelt Field for two children who have cancer.

According to Theissen, he has seen an incredible improvement in the toy drive over the last seven years. He stated, "It's great. The difference that we continue to make, from the community's support of the toy drive, it's just incredible and when we are going in and helping all these kids smile, it's what the holiday season is all about." Theissen wants to thank the community for all the support they have given him and this toy drive. He is also hoping to find the same support on April 17, 1999 when he runs from Newbridge Park in Bellmore to Montauk Point, to raise money for a child with cancer. He already has the Town of Hempstead sponsoring him and is looking for even more support so he can help this child.

The idea behind Toys for Sick Children is that sometimes a smile is the best medicine for a sick child and that is what the organization is able to bring to them. According to Theissen, "By supporting Toys for Sick Children you can help a sick child forget about their pain, so that the children of tomorrow will always be smiling." To find out more about this worthwhile organization call Toys for Sick Children at: 826-2675. All donations are tax deductible.