Teens use card game to explain cancer to children
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In San Diego, California, Daniel Zhang and Zachary Tou created Tumor Tactics, a card game designed to educate children about cancer.
The teens developed the game after Zhang’s grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he was young, and he struggled to understand her illness. Inspired by games like Pokemon, Tumor Tactics challenges players to act as doctors treating patients with different types of tumors, using cards that represent medical events and interventions.
Zhang and Tou launched a school club called STEAMLabs, which evolved into an international nonprofit, to create and distribute the game. They designed the graphics, manufactured the components, and assembled over 225 decks, delivering them to hospitals like Scripps Health and Rady Children’s Hospital, and to local elementary schools. During testing, the teens found that the game significantly improved children’s understanding of cancer, quiz scores rose from 37% correct before playing to 91% afterward.
Beyond the educational impact, Zhang and Tou also observed children sharing personal experiences with cancer, creating a supportive environment for discussion. The game is available for free download and as a purchasable kit, with proceeds supporting donations to schools and the American Cancer Society.
