12-year-old writes about bullying while battling cancer - Worldwide Launch of Kids Write Club Literacy Program

MONTREAL, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Twelve-year-old Claudia Martino's book My Magic Box is her story about battling a bully and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Her story is not about cancer but about wanting to be treated as normal. This is the first self-help book written 'by' children 'for' children at the Montreal Children's Hospital with a second one due out this summer in an effort to let the voice of children assist others in their own medical and emotional turbulence. This is the first of a kind globally and is set to launch nationwide.

The Kids Write Club (KWC) literacy program was created by entrepreneur and author Helen Georgaklis to encourage children to find their voice through writing. Its mission is to get as many children putting fingers to pen at an early age. Successfully integrated at Gerald McShane Elementary, it helped children deal with issues such as bullying. "Kids can't say some things, but can write about them," says GeorgakIis. "The KWC literacy program increases literacy rates, helps children identify conflicts and challenges, and find solutions. I wanted to introduce it to young patients in a hospital setting because it is also very therapeutic." www.kidswriteclub.com

The Kids Write Club (KWC) literacy program, a subsidiary of the 99 Series, was piloted at The Montreal Children's Hospital. Claudia has written a story of inspiration, courage and determination. The proceeds from the book will go to Claudia's tribute fund at the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation for the hematology/oncology department to help other young patients.

About The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Health Centre. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation supports the Hospital in its mandate and is currently in the final stages of The Best Care for Children Campaign to support the construction of the new Montreal Children's Hospital on the Glen site, scheduled to open its doors to patients in 2015. For more information, visit childrenfoundation.com.

SOURCE Kids Write Club

Image with caption: "12-year-old writes about bullying while battling cancer - Worldwide Launch of Kids Write Club Literacy Program (CNW Group/Kids Write Club)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130529_C2227_PHOTO_EN_27055.jpg