PHILADELPHIA -- Roxxi, a brunette nanobotwith a blaster for a left arm, takes careful aim at a cancer cell and zaps it into oblivion.

The video game starring Roxxi aims to help young cancer patients deal with their disease by visualizing the destruction of cancerous cells. Starting Wednesday, Philadelphia-based health insurer Cigna Corp. will be sending free copies of the game to doctors to hand out to cancer patients who want it, regardless of whether they are a Cigna customer. Patients can also get a free copy on CD or DVD by visiting.

Originally Published June   2007

 

The video game was developed by HopeLab, a Redwood City-based nonprofit whose goal is to improve the health and quality of life of chronically ill youth.

"When you're a teen diagnosed with these cancers, it's an abstraction. It's very hard to comprehend what's happened to you and what's ahead," said Dr. Glenn Pomerantz, Cigna HealthCare's national medical director. The game "allows teens to visualize what cancer cells look like -- why it's important to take antibiotics even if there's no fever and why it's proper to have good nutrition."

The game has 20 levels of play. Roxxi travels through the bodies of cancer patients to destroy cancer cells, fight infections and manage side effects of the disease and its treatments. It is rated "T" for Teen, meaning players must be at least 13.