THE LAW MATTERS Childhood Cancer Charity

Through an evidence-based innovative program that merges modern integrative medicine with traditional martial arts, Kids Kicking Cancer’s program addresses the overwhelming needs of children with illness. Specially trained black belt martial artists teach breathing, visualization, and relaxation techniques, in addition to traditional martial arts moves, to help empower the children and provide them with a sense of power, peace, and purpose.

Using martial arts therapy, the program teaches children to:

By James Hamilton, Interim Manager and Legal Services Director, UCDA

HOW, YOU MIGHT ASK, can martial arts have anything to do with helping children cope with the pain, stress and confusion caused by cancer? One of the charities the UCDA supports is called Kids Kicking Cancer.

Kids Kicking Cancer began in 1999 with ten children at Children’s Hospital of Michigan and is now empowering over 5,000 children in 48 hospitals in 5 countries.

In 2010, Canada’s first Kids Kicking Cancer program was piloted in Windsor. The program expanded to London in 2012 with service at Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and community programs. In 2018, a community-based program began in Ottawa.

• Regain a sense of control over the chaos of their lives.

• Become empowered partners in their own healing.

• Push away the messages of pain, fear, and anger.

• Provide inspiration and light to others facing life-challenges.

• Teach other children, and even adults, how to take control.

• See themselves as victors, not victims.

Story about Isaac

Powerful Martial Artist Isaac’s mom shared: to traditional martial arts moves, to help empower the children and provide them with a sense of power, peace, and purpose.’

“Isaac went to his first Heroes Circle class early in July. It's a karate class designed for children (and their siblings) going through cancer treatments.

The organization is global. It started in the US and has chapters across Canada, Italy, Israel, Australia and in three countries in Africa.

We call it pup-fu in our house because the only exposure that Isaac has ever