Our Mission
Kids Kicking Cancer Canada’s mission is to ease the pain, stress and trauma of children while empowering them to heal and build resiliency physically, spiritually and emotionally.
About Us
Kids Kicking Cancer | Heroes Circle Canada has been serving Canadian children in pain since 2012. In partnership with MATIO (formerly Kids Kicking Cancer), we have been developing and providing therapeutic martial arts techniques that are practised in five countries, spanning 25 years. Backed by research, our martial arts-based meditative techniques have proven successful in reducing pain and stress in children with cancer and other chronic illnesses, as well as their otherwise healthy siblings.
Since 2015, over 31,000 instances of service have been provided to 7,400 children across Canada through our programs in London, Ottawa, Toronto and Zoom.
Our Story
An evolving journey to empower children
In 1999, Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg started Kids Kicking Cancer in response to the amazing benefits he found that martial arts meditation and breathing techniques have for those in great pain and stress – particularly children.
As the program began to develop, parents, doctors, nurses and many others began to comment on the changes they saw in the boys and girls who had joined our classes. These adults were nothing short of mesmerized as they witnessed kids utilizing a technique for taking control of pain, fear and anger. In addition, the children became natural teachers of these methods.
Backed by research, our martial arts-based meditative techniques have proven successful in reducing pain and stress in children with cancer and other chronic illnesses, as well as their otherwise healthy siblings.
In 2010, Canada’s first Heroes Circle 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. Community-based programs expanded to Ottawa in 2018 and to Toronto in 2022.
Our Mantra
When our students bow, they say the words: Power. Peace. Purpose.
This physical and spoken ritual reflects each student’s and instructor’s commitment to personal growth and the healing power of martial arts.
Power – Transforming weakness into strength, fear into hope, and despair into joy.
Peace – Calming the mind and body through breathwork and stillness.
Purpose – Creating a community where children become not only survivors but also teachers, leaders, and sources of inspiration.