TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Can a video game created by one of the world's top game developers bring awareness to the journey of cancer treatment?
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's #NoHairSelfie campaign thinks so.
Thursday, January 28, 2016, is the official worldwide release of Lost In Harmony, a video game chronicling a teenager's cancer journey including treatment and hair loss. Early projections show there may be more than five million downloads of this game.
Timing of the game's release coincides with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's #NoHairSelfie global fundraising campaign, where hair-ticipants either actually or virtually shave their heads in solidarity with cancer patients worldwide, on February 4, 2016, World Cancer Day.
"One of the most visible and devastating side effects of cancer treatment is hair loss," says Laura Syron, Vice President, Community Programs, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. "It's also the one thing people identify with most when watching a loved one undergo treatment. Lost In Harmony's empathetic treatment of this journey made the decision to align with a video game an easy one." Syron, whose parents both succumbed to cancer, will also be shaving her head on World Cancer Day.
Dr. David Hodgson, Director of the Pediatric Radiation Oncology Site Group, at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, sat down with the developers to provide them with context regarding the character of the young girl in the game and why funds for cancer research are important. "This game represents a new avenue in educating young people about a cancer patient's journey," says Dr. Hodgson, who also runs the after-care clinic for adults (18+) who had childhood cancer.
Developed by Yoan Fanise, the co-creator of the award winning Valiant Hearts, Lost In Harmony follows Kaito, a teenager who discovers that his best friend Aya, has cancer. The odyssey chronicles the many hardships they will encounter together. Acclaimed rapper, musician and actor, Wyclef Jean, composed and interpreted an exclusive track for one of the game's chapters.
"Players will live the story in a new way where gameplay is driven by the sound track," says game creator Yoan Fanise. "The game allows the players to show their solidarity with the character and cancer patients and survivors around the world."
Lost In Harmony is available for download on iOS for $3.99.
See the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqee-O4nMs
For a downloadable version of the trailer and additional #NoHairSelfie footage click here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722451-cnw-vod
About #NoHairSelfie
The #NoHairSelfie campaign aims to bring together cancer patients, survivors and those who love them for one common goal: to conquer cancer in our lifetime.
About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network raises funds to lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, which includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. www.thepmcf.ca
About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering Personalized Cancer Medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. All are research hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.theprincessmargaret.ca
SOURCE Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
Video with caption: "Thursday, January 28, 2016, is the official worldwide release of Lost In Harmony, a video game chronicling a teenager’s cancer journey including treatment and hair loss. Early projections show there may be more than five million downloads of this game.". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDqee-O4nMs
Image with caption: "On February 4th, 2016, World Cancer Day, the world comes together to unite in the fight against cancer with the #NoHairSelfie campaign, benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C5653_PHOTO_EN_607750.jpg
Image with caption: "On February 4th, 2016, World Cancer Day, the world comes together to unite in the fight against cancer with the #NoHairSelfie campaign, benefiting the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. (CNW Group/Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C5653_PHOTO_EN_607748.jpg
Elissa Freeman, For the #NoHairSelfie Campaign, 416.565.5605; Dane Hargrave, For the #NoHairSelfie Campaign, 416.467.9954 x104; Kevin Shea, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, 416-946-2898
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