“I wish to create a cancer-fighting video game.”
Ben , age 9
Greater Bay Area Chapter
   
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This wish story makes me feel:
  

Ben loves computer games. They not only kept him in a positive frame of mind during his treatments for leukemia, they also got him thinking: “How can I use the games I love to help other kids like me?"

So when given a wish opportunity, this 9-year-old boy’s wish was to design a video game that would be helpful to kids like him who have cancer – a way to fight back, and relieve some of the pain and stress involved with treatment.

To grant Ben’s wish, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation® sought out game companies to find a champion to make Ben's wish come true. “The initial response was overwhelmingly pessimistic,” said Patricia Wilson, Greater Bay chapter executive director. “People told us this venture was nearly impossible without taking several years, and literally millions of dollars.”

However, heroes stepped forward – Eric Johnston and his employer, LucasArts, who fully supported Ben’s efforts. Not only did Eric want to make Ben's wish a reality, he planned to involve Ben in every step of the process. For months, Ben and Eric met on a regular basis to make the game just as Ben envisioned it.

Screen shot of Ben's video game.

Wilson added, “Eric and Ben achieved the impossible! Ben’s wish is inspiring because it was selfless and -- Ben is a philanthropist. Finding an angel like Eric Johnston was a miracle, and having the support of the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and its medical team was invaluable.”

Ben’s own physician, Dr. Seymour Zoger of UCSF Children’s Hospital, served as a medical advisor for the game. USCF Children’s Hospital will serve as the first medical facility to install the game for its pediatric patients use. “The science for Ben's game came largely from what Ben learned himself in the course of treatment,” said Dr. Zoger.

About the game:
The object of the game is to destroy all mutated cells and to collect the seven shields that provide protection from common side effects of chemotherapy. The shields are guarded by “monsters”:

  • Colds –- Iceman Monster
  • Barf – Robarf Monster
  • Chicken Pox – Big Chicken Monster
  • Fever – Fire Monster
  • Bleeding – Vamp Monster
  • Hair Loss – Qball Monster
  • Rash – Tornado Monster

Three health levels serve as ammunition in the game:

  • Health you get from the hospital
  • Ammunition you get from the pharmacy
  • Attitude you get from home

You can access and read more about Ben's game at http://www.makewish.org/ben.

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Inspired Thoughts

  • That is the most selfless story I have ever heard. I saw the story on CNBC and it opened my eyes to the Make-the-Wish foundation as well.
    - Candice 11/15/2006 23:44
  • Congrats Ben! We saw you on the video game documentary last night on cnbc. The game is cool and will help teach those of us who know nothing about cancer. So, you are helping all people to learn. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    - Jensens 12/25/2006 13:37
  • Ben, you seem like such a creative and intelligent young man. I'm so glad that your wish came true, and know that your video game will help lots of other kids in the future as well. You should be very proud of yourself!
    - Mandi 12/22/2006 23:52
  • Ben, I saw your story today on CNBC. You are a brilliant young man. I think your game may also help adults who are fighting cancer. God bless you and may all your dreams come true.
    - Deborah 01/15/2007 17:08
  • Ben...your contribution to your video game inspires me and many others to help out more in the community. I wish you many more successes in life. Thank you for your astounding effort in the fight against cancer!
    - Heather 01/28/2007 14:54
  • Well done, Ben. Congatulations on your wish. I think you inspire a lot of kids. I hope you get better. Cheers. Jake
    - Jake 01/31/2007 16:54
  • Ben, you are one bright kid! I am proud of you. What you have done with your gift is very touching. I think you've helped make some great contribution in patient care.
    - Desiree 08/29/2006 13:42
  • I think that is amazing! If those monsters were real in 1998, my mom wouldn't have died from lung cancer. Ben is amazing!
    - Stephanie 06/15/2007 10:58
  • I used to have leukemia myself, Ben, and I think you make kids who are suffering from leukemia feel much better knowing that they can fight and that there's hope. Great job, buddy!
    - Emily 07/02/2007 14:28
  • Ben, I have had cancer. It was in my head. The doctors told my mom I wouldn't live past 16 years of age, but I am still here. Thank you for giving us something to see to help us get through the hard times. God Bless You. Pat
    - Patrick 04/06/2007 10:00
  • Most kids wish for something for themselves, but ben wished for something for everyone with a sickness. That is the most selfless wish I've heard of. Good Job Ben! :)
    - Derek 07/28/2007 9:33
  • I think this would be a great game for kids health/fitness classes. Have you thought of marketing it at teacher conventions?
    - Gwendolyn 01/16/2008 11:10
  • What a lovely idea! May God bless you, Ben for you selflessness in helping others smile.
    - Kimberley 03/21/2008 5:05
  • What a wonderful idea Ben. Your wish will last forever and make many smiles along the way!!!
    - Laura 03/20/2008 18:23
  • Ben, your idea was so amazing I cannot believe it. Your video game sounds awesome, just like you. But I think you left out a monster - the Ben-inator - cures everything else that cancer brings your way! Ben, keep that positive spirit and may God bless you always!
    - Debbie 03/20/2008 10:26
  • Ben you sound like an amazing and strong kid and person. I would love to do half of what you have done for the world and other people. Good job buddy.
    - Izzy 12/12/2007 16:30
  • I absolutely love your idea!! I think it must feel really good to zap those awful monsters! I think you're idea will help so very many people.... young and old alike. Bravo!
    - Amanda 10/26/2007 21:35
  • My son was a Make-A-Wish recipient 10 years ago. It brings tears to my eyes at the generosity shown by individuals and companies towards the Make-A-Wish Foundation and it's recipients. Ben and Eric you two did an amazing thing.
    - Ron 10/29/2007 11:38
  • You made a great selfless wish, that was very nice and I hope you keep blasting those cancer cells, I salute you!
    - Chris 03/31/2009 23:56
  • You are so selfless!!!!! Wow!! I cried when I read this.
    - Smeeta 03/12/2009 22:07
  • Ben I played your game it's great. I'm so glad you got your wish. I'll be honest with you... It was hard! But that's a good thing.
    - Jamie 02/21/2009 13:54
  • Hey young man..I m so happy that your wish become true..Ben always smile..
    - Abdullah 01/04/2009 8:33
  • I'm a cancer serviver and I want to say I wish someone had though of this great idea when I was going through my cancer treatments I had thyriod cancer and it is hard to go through the treatment but you have to do whats best for you....Thanks little buddy for the great Idea and a special thanks to Eric and his staff for helping you make your dream come true keep up the great work little buddy may God Bless you and your family and May God Bless Eric and his staff as well.....Your friend in Christ Elizabeth
    - Elizabeth Barrera 12/01/2008 3:55
  • that is awesome!I love the game!God bless you for the rest of your game filled life!
    - Audell 02/07/2010 21:06
  • Congratulations! I think you are a determined child and have a beautiful heart! I loved your story and what you did was wonderful! Your wish will help many children, you should be proud for that! God bless you and your family!
    - Lorenna 04/14/2010 13:59
  • Hello Ben. I am from Brazil, and like you, i love games. When i was 10 years old , I wished to be a gamer designer. But now i am a law student here in Brazil. I appreciate your ideia and someday i want to play your game :). I hope you get better !
    - Lucas 04/07/2010 12:09
  • hi ben. my grandpa died of lung cancer last year.his treatments were painful, and most of the time, he had no one there to comfort him. my mom sometimes left to visit him in Missouri. one day after a long trip. mom came home didn't say anything. a couple nights later, she sat us down at the table. my grandpa is no longer suffering, he is with god in heaven. but he would have loved to had your game, to take his mind off things.
    - james 06/05/2010 14:11
  • A beautiful story :)
    - Theresa 07/08/2010 16:40
  • Your unselfish wish is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder to those of us who call ourselves Christians -- giving of oneself and not merely accumulating more is the only real way we can change the world for the better. Thank you for your example. God Bless You, my friend.
    - George Gagliardi 07/08/2010 17:45
  • hi, ben. today we got homework about how u created this game about cancer. i went back and thought about my friend danial. he has a brain tumor. i think everyone should be inspired and make more games about cancer and how u can fight it. now that i read your artical in class i really want to create a game for my best friend danial.
    - antonio 09/07/2011 17:20
  • I showed the CNBC video about the history of gaming to my high school programming class. They wanted to download your game because we have a number of teachers and students with cancer. We thought your game would help cheer them up. Is it still available?
    - Jean 10/12/2011 5:20
  • The good news is that Ben's game can still be downloaded. The link is active (I just downloaded his game to my PC and it worked fine). The page with download details is hosted on the San Francisco chapter’s website (http://www.sfwish.org/site/pp.asp?c=bdJLITMAE&b=81927).
    - John 10/12/2011 14:40
  • I am pretty sure that my son was given this game while he was inpatient undergoing chemo for his AML. It was too much for him at the time, too much to learn when he was feeling really poorly. But I was really impressed that a boy would come up with the game! I want to go find it again, it's packed up in a bin of stuff. I remember it being really a really cool teaching tool, also. CONGRATULATIONS Ben! You're an amazing young man!
    - Kathy 11/04/2011 16:26
  • I usually dont comment on these things but this is the most selfless thing ive seen! keep up the good work!
    - karly 11/07/2011 6:51

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