Young Patients Find New Way to Fight Cancer

Making its way into the hands of young cancer patients at Children's is a video game that could help save lives, one blast at a time.

Children's has teamed up with CIGNA HealthCare and HopeLab in the fight against cancer by distributing "Re-mission," a PC- based video game designed to help teens better understand their disease, gain confidence in overcoming cancer, and better comply with their medical regimen.

The game takes its players on a journey through bodies with different types of cancer, which can be destroyed by blasting cells using a nanobot named Roxxi. 

"I have seen one child play the game and he loved it," said Tommi McHugh, Credentials RN, therapeutic recreation/child life department.

Studies involving 375 teens and young adults at medical centers across the U.S., Canada, and Australia show that cancer patients who play the game are more likely to take their medicine, undergo needed therapy, and better understand their illness.

"I think it looks great because the kids love it and that is always the best judge of how effective any tool we use is going to be," added McHugh.

To obtain a free copy of the "Re-mission" video game, visit http://www.re-mission.net. The game is also available in Spanish and French.