Our Student Community
Our students are powerful martial artists, equipped with skills learned in the MATIO Method to build resiliency and empowerment, all while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Community
This might be hard. But you’re not alone.
Getting sick or going through treatment can feel scary, confusing, or even unfair. We know you might feel like no one really gets what you’re going through.
That’s where the MATIO Method comes in. It’s a set of fun, powerful practices—based on martial arts—that help you feel stronger, calmer, and more in control, even when things feel tough.
You already have everything you need inside you. We’re just here to help you unlock it.
Join Matio
Come as a Patient.
Learn as a Student.
Emerge as a Teacher.
We invite you to join us! In partnership with your medical team, we will identify the best implementation of the MATIO Method so that you can begin learning as a student participant in our program.
Our black-belt martial arts instructors will work with you and peer students to practice the techniques of our Method, helping you to build resilience, become empowered and ultimately, activate tools to mitigate your pain and lower your stress.
As you practice the Method, we are confident you will become stronger, more focused and as a powerful martial artist, ready to teach others how to persevere in the face of adversity.
Meet Our Heroes
Heroes Stories
Our powerful student martial artists have enormous impact as the find purpose by teaching others locally and across the globe.
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Adeline
We had known something was happening to our daughter about a year prior to her brain tumor discovery. We were working with her then pediatrician…
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Aiden
When Aiden was diagnosed with Leukemia at three years old, our world flipped upside-down. We were frozen in a moment trying to find a new…
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Alison
There are no words to express how we feel about Kids Kicking Cancer. During the darkest moments of our lives, my family found true help,…
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Amanuel
My son Amanuel was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma soon after we arrived in the United States. It was a huge bombshell for us. I didn’t have…
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Amber
In Amber’s mother’s words: I wanted to share a story with you that Amber shared in class last night. When Amber had her brain surgery…
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Ava
As we begin the year-end season of giving, Kids Kicking Cancer is grateful for one of our Heroes Circle families for sharing their story so…
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Brandon
When Brandon was first diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma at 3-years-old, our family’s lives were turned upside down. The hospital tried to give us all…
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Brendan
When Brendan was first diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma he couldn’t pronounce it. At five years old, he lacked an understanding of why his life had become…
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Brian
Interview with Granny Evelyn, MATIO Grandparent to Student Brian. Grandmother to 10-year-old Brian, who lives with Sickle Cell Disease, Granny Evelyn and her family joined…
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Caiden
Caiden’s mom recently shared her thoughts on Caiden’s journey with Kids Kicking Cancer. “The Kids Kicking Cancer organization has been a blessing for my entire…
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Caleb
I contacted Kids Kicking Cancer when Caleb was 2-years-old, following two surgeries, five very hard rounds of chemotherapy, and 30 rounds of Proton Radiation. Although…
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Daunte
When Daunte was born he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. At 2 years old Daunte began a 5 year chronic transfusion program as a…
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Ember
Ember is eight years old. Ember’s family found out about Kids Kicking Cancer through Beaumont Children’s Hospital. As Ember started to attend weekly classes, she…
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Ethan
Hello! My name is Shelly, the mom of Ethan, my hero. I first came to know of Kids Kicking Cancer about seven years ago while…
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Four Forever Friends
High school graduation is a meaningful milestone for most, but it’s even more special for young women who’ve faced challenges and come out on top.…
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Gabe
Written by Mom Melissa, MATIO Parent to Student Gabriel. Gabriel is our sweet miracle boy. He is 7 years old, turning 8 this December. We…
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Grace
Grace is 11 years old. According to Grace’s mom, “Kids Kicking Cancer has become an extension of our family. We look forward to seeing the…
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Haley
When Haley was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma six years ago, joining a martial arts therapy program was the furthest thing from her grandparent’s minds. Haley was…
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Jamiah
Jamiah was diagnosed with liver cancer in September of 2007. She underwent many chemotherapy treatments and surgery during her year and a half of treatment.…
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Jennifer
Jennifer, who was diagnosed at 17 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, knows the impact of acquiring power, peace, and purpose amid the turmoil of cancer treatment. After…
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Jillian
When Jillian was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of pediatric cancer, the once self-confident and energetic girl became withdrawn and sad. Jillian’s social worker at…
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Josephine
After she was diagnosed with cancer, Liz, mom to the then 4 year old Josephine, felt an overwhelming need to meet other moms with cancer…
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Karla
Coming to Kids Kicking Cancer has made our family grow and it’s beautiful to know they will always be there for you. When we learned…
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Kate
At four years old, Kate was diagnosed with kidney cancer. She went through many treatments including having her tumor and kidney removed. Throughout it all,…
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Kyle
This life changing moment began in 2017, shortly after Kyle’s fifth birthday. Kyle was experiencing pain in his arm and legs for no apparent reason…
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Leah
Leah is eleven years old. When she was four years old, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had two surgeries – one year…
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Lena
Lena was 18 months old when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and endured five rounds of intense chemotherapy. After months of treatment, she…
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London
My daughter London is 9-years-old and is a bright young lady. She is outgoing, and enjoys spending time with her siblings and cousins, and loves…
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Luca
Hi, I’m Luca. I just turned thirteen in June. My mom said I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when I was four months old. We went…
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Markus
A Message From My Mom: Markus was diagnosed with sickle cell Beta thalesemia at birth. Kids Kicking Cancer has helped my son particularly in learning…
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Meet Aiden: A Little Hero With a Huge Heart
This Valentine’s Day and every day, the Heroes Circle thanks all our contributors for their faith in us, as well as their support of children…
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Meet Cailen: A little hero kicking cancer
Written by Lynne Golodner 5-year-old Cailen is smart. He is high energy, likes to camp and spend time with family. Just the other day, he…
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Meet Cole: A Little Hero from Michigan
Written By: Debbie Pecis Cole Yahara sounds like a typical 10-year-old at first, rambling enthusiastically about video games, his desire to sneak a snake into…
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Meet Corey: A young adult with a purpose
Written by Lynne Golodner “Every day you wake up is a blessing,” says Corey’s mom Patrice. It’s not a statement she makes lightly. Now that…
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Meet Danielle: A High School Senior Who Heads into a Future of Fantastic Storytelling and Riveting Performance.
By Lynne Golodner It’s going to be different to live several states away from her family and friends, but Danielle McKay is ready for the…
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Meet David and Kyle: Two Brothers Shining Light Through Darkness
The Heroes Circle is grateful for Kyle, David and their family, and their willingness to share their story so we can help change more lives.…
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Meet Grace: A Hero Who Journeyed From Fearful to Inspirational
Written by: Deborah Pecis You might not recognize 15-year-old Grace McKay if she were to stand next to a photograph of her 10-year-old self. While…
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Meet Haley: A High School Senior Who Makes the Most of Every Moment – Thanks to True Friendships and Welcoming Acceptance from KKC.
By Lynne Golodner Haley Wallace doesn’t let anything get her down. A child survivor of Rhabdomyosarcoma – a rare cancer that was caught early –…
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Meet Izzy: A tenacious teen with a fighting spirit
Izzy Stothers is a fountain of creativity. She has a whole world of stories, poems, and songs she’s written and saved on her phone. Her…
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Meet Je’Nailya: A High School Senior Who Plans to Make Everyone Feel Beautiful.
By Lynne Golodner “Sickle cell is an up-and-down roller coaster,” says Je’Nailya Belew. “One minute you can be fine, and then three years ago, I…
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Meet Natalee: A Powerful Martial Artist Who Shines Through Power Breathing
The Heroes Circle is grateful for Natalee and her family, and their willingness to share their story so we can help change more lives. Written…
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Meet Ollie: An Inspiring 9-Year-Old from Canada Who Loves Therapeutic Martial Arts, Hockey and his Dog Hope.
Ollie Acosta-Pickering has a special hockey puck. It’s oversized and makes a rattling noise when you shake it. He has a brand new one still…
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Meet Paris: Healing the World Through the Power of Breath and Friendship.
By Lynne Golodner When Paris Davis first came to Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC) as the sibling of two brothers with Sickle Cell, she was shy.…
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Nakia
Two summers ago, Kids Kicking Cancer was honored by Mass General Cancer Center. The highlight was a beautiful mini-documentary on the Kids Kicking Cancer program.…
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Priya
When the clinic visits for my 2-year-old daughter’s cancer treatment became our new routine, I recall noticing the Kids Kicking Cancer brochures in the clinic’s…
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Vivian
Meet seven-year-old Vivian, a.k.a. “Panda,” a nickname that her dad charmingly calls her because he says ‘she’s endangered’ like the bear. At just six weeks…