Superheroes come to the aid of sick children

MEDIKIDZ

MEDIA RELEASE

08 June 2010

Comic book superheroes come to the aid of sick children

A gang of five medical superheroes are set to help sick children throughout New Zealand to understand their medical condition, thanks to the launch of a unique series of comic books developed by two ex-pat kiwi doctors.

The Medikidz comic book concept, which was the brainchild of New Zealand Paediatricians Dr Kim Chilman-Blair and Dr Kate Hersov, was born out of frustration at the lack of medical resources accessible to children.

 I had one patient, a little girl called Wendy who had been diagnosed with epilepsy and wanted to find out more. I thought it would be easy but I couldn’t find anything that could explain epilepsy in a child friendly way”, says Dr Chilman-Blair, CEO of Medikidz.

“I soon realised the lack information for children was a worldwide problem”.

This set Dr Chilman-Blair and Dr Hersov off on a mission to fill the information gap, and saw them join forces with graphic novelist John Taddeo of Marvel Comics fame (Spiderman, X-Men, the Hulk), turning their idea for an innovative series of books into a reality.

Today this reality is centred around five Medikidz superheroes who live on Mediland – a living, moving planet shaped like the human body.

“In the past, it has been a commonly-held view that children are too young to understand medical concepts, or worse, are better off not knowing”, says Dr Chilman-Blair.

“Through the Medikidz books we put medical information about disease and medicines into plain words for sick kids, their families and friends.”

Doctors write all content which is subsequently peer reviewed by leading consultants in each respective field. Endorsement from established and well-regarded medical institutions, foundations and spokespeople is also sought.

To celebrate the New Zealand launch of the Medikidz books, Owen Glenn, who is a proud sponsor, is donating 500 of the Medikidz comic books to Starship Children’s Hospital through the Glenn Family Foundation.

“We often take for granted that children accept their lot and bury their fears when faced with an illness”, says Mr Glenn.

“This initiative bridges that communication gap in a language and by pictorial example, to explain the medical problem and the care that will be offered to them. The comfort they will gather from the Medikidz superheroes will help them to gain back their good health", he adds.

Medikidz books have already launched in the UK with more than 600,000 copies being sold since September 2009. The Medikidz books already have high profile supporters throughout the world, including Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu and Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

Published by Harper Collins in New Zealand, Medikidz comic books will be available in all good bookstores from June 2010 and retail for $16.99.

Visit www.medikidz.com

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