What The Judges Thought

Here is what our judging panel had to say about why they chose the Superhero Me App as the winning idea:

‘This tool is all encompassing! It ties social media with gaming while still providing a solution to improving cancer patient compliance. This mobile solution will be an absolute success.’

Everette Egun, Chief Strategy Officer, PharMed Solutions

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‘CanTeen’s research has shown that for young people with cancer, needs related to  emotional/psychological issues, relationships and information are the most salient. In addition we’ve found that these needs often go unmet (84% of young people in the study reported that at least one of these needs was unmet).

With that in mind we feel that the Superhero Me application is a great overall response to the need of young people with cancer. The mixture of functions correlates well with the needs of young people with cancer. Plus, lots of CanTeen’s work focuses on peer support and this app provides a virtual opportunity for peer support.

The mood update and journal offer an outlet for emotional/psychological issues. The friend finder, forums and messaging builds on that and allows young people to connect and build relationships while at the same time supporting each other through emotional issues. The resources function provides young people with an opportunity to easily find information about cancer and be assured that is accurate and reliable.

In addition the gaming aspects of the application will keep young people interested and draw them back to the app in the longer-term. The potential for this app to evolve also goes in it’s favour.’

CanTeen Australia (in consultation with cancer survivor Michelle Bosworth)

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‘It’s a really creative idea that will enable young people to engage with something that provides wider benefits that don’t focus on their cancer.  The simple fact that it’s fun will encourage use.’

Simon Davies, CEO, Teenage Cancer Trust

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"Superhero Me! is a creative solution to a fundamental difficulty faced by many young cancer patients - isolation. It creates a safe space for them to explore, to express their feelings and share their experiences with other 'superheros'. The practical applications such as the calendar and notes would be useful, but most importantly, this app recognises we are young people first, and cancer patients second. You could unlock superhero powers, make friends and play games - all from a hospital ward."

Sarunas Narbutas, cancer survivor, Board Member ECPC

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‘The app has many of the other entries useful functions (such as calendar, journal, mood, etc.) but adds "gamification" to the equation. By offering rewards in the form of building up a superhero the app becomes more enticing to use. There's great ways for interacting with others and sharing experiences as well as finding answers to questions you have. The rewards system can also easily be expanded upon to develop more options in the future.’

Tom de Bruin, teen cancer survivor, JimmyTeens.tv

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‘It integrates many of the concepts in several other submissions into a cogent mashup platform that rivals anything out there for this age level. If properly executed, it stands a significant chance to be a killer app that fills an unmet need for this underserved patient population.’

Matthew Zachary, cancer survivor, CEO, I’m Too Young For This

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‘The Superhero Me! app serves not only as empowering outlet for young cancer patients but (more importantly) a way for them to connect and share. By allowing the patient to present him/herself as a superhero you allow the patient to transcend his or her current location and feelings, often those of isolation or loneliness, and enable the patient to connect with others going through a similar experience. By sharing those experiences these young patients can alleviate their feelings of isolation and fear and hopefully better weather the tremendous stress of a cancer experience, together.’

Tom Whiteside, cancer survivor