On Wednesday, Kids Kicking Cancer Canada participants, volunteers and community partners came together for a special announcement at the Heroes Circle program’s annual grading and belting ceremony at the London Lightning Practice Facility. 

"Every week we have two community programs. These children come, they practice their martial arts but, more than that, they learn they have power, peace, and purpose. They have the power to overcome their pain, by doing the meditation we teach they achieve peace, and then their purpose is to teach others," said Jill Osborne, Executive Director, Kids Kicking Cancer Canada. 

London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan and Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) volunteer Chris Harding were present to congratulate the organization and to witness the fruits of a $234,000 OTF Grow grant that was awarded in early 2018. 

“Kids Kicking Cancer Canada does such incredible work and I’m so happy that the Ontario Trillium Foundation is supporting a truly great organization,” said London North MPP Terence Kernaghan.  “The Heroes Circle helps empower children and their families fighting back against cancer and I’m very grateful to this wonderful program for providing kids with a sense of power, peace, and purpose.”

The Grow grant is funding weekly Heroes Circle programs for children in London and the region. This has attracted participants from Standing Stone School, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Vanier Children’s Services. The program is teaching the children breathing and meditation techniques to help manage their stress and pain.  

"It's all about growing our program. Here in London we have number of programs with Kids Country Club, Vanier, Thames Valley Children's Centre. We also have a full program in Ottawa and we're now looking to create a program with Sick Kids in Toronto," said Toby Stolee, President, Kids Kicking Cancer Canada. 

The two-year Grow grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is funding Kids Kicking Cancer's budget for staffing, workshops, training sessions, as well as martial arts uniforms and equipment.