Children with cancer imagine their own superhero. We make it real.
We ask children in hospital: if you were a superhero, how would you imagine yourself? An illustrator draws their answer. Makers build the Supersuit. Then the child wears it.
35 Superheroes · 5 campaigns · 4 hospitals · 3 countries
Reveal day
The first time they see themselves as the hero they imagined.
It is a beautiful initiative for us, and Retaj was so excited and happy! She felt so proud that she could be an ice princess and she kept talking about that for several days.
ReFroze’s family
In their words
Every hero starts with a child’s answer.
Children at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, 2015. Tap to hear them.
How it happens
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The drawing
An illustrator sits with each child and draws the hero they describe. The name, the powers and the story all come from the child.
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The Supersuit
Designers and makers cut, sew and fit a suit to the child. As far as the child knows, the drawing was the gift.
The reveal
A photographer and a film crew are ready on the day the child puts it on and sees the hero they made up.
Why it matters
Where maybe a lot of decisions are being made for them, Superhope's an opportunity where they can take that bit of power back.
Erin HannaPlay Specialist
I do think that a project like Superhope should be in every hospital as an integral part of our care.
Dr Giuseppe BaroneConsultant Paediatric Oncologist
The Superheroes
35 Superheroes so far, each one designed by the child who became it.
Where
Five campaigns in four hospitals, across three countries.
Bring Superhope to your hospitalFor hospitals and care teams who want a campaign on their wards.Write to us →Become a city ambassadorOpen the door to hospitals, makers and partners where you live.Write to us →Join the Creative CommunityIllustrators, designers, makers, photographers and filmmakers.Write to us →Partner with usCompanies, studios and foundations who want to back a campaign.Write to us →