Charity Work
25 years ago, Rabbi Goldberg lost his 2 year old daughter to cancer. Soon afterward, he began working in oncology camps and pediatric wards in order to help other children and parents in need. In 1998, he was walking through an oncology ward when he heard a child screaming. He stopped and saw 3 nurses physically holding down this boy down so they could do a procedure. Rabbi “G” (as the kids call him) walked into the room and said, “Please, just give me just a few minutes.” He greeted the boy and said, “Do you know that I’m a black belt?” The boy immediately stopped crying, and listened as Rabbi G explained that in the practice of martial arts, we learn that pain or fear is just a message that the brain does not have to hear. He asked the boy if he wanted to try a meditation with him, and the boy agreed. Rabbi G took him on a visual journey to a “safe place;” a beautiful island. He had the boy describe what he saw there that made him feel calm and safe. About ten minutes later, the meditation was over. The boy opened his eyes and asked, “Did they put the needle in yet?” Rabbi G smiled and said the procedure was finished. In that moment, KIDS KICKING CANCER was born.

KKC is based in Detroit and New York. They hire martial arts black belts who have experience in health care, and train these teachers on how to empower the children by using martial arts philosophy and technique. Rather than a child being “held down” as a form of pain management, KKC teachers help children face their fears by teaching meditation skills, and physical techniques so they can channel their pain and fear.

KKC provides this service free of charge to hospitals and families, and therefore, they rely totally upon donation money. With a bit more funding in place, we would like to expand the program to the west coast. The children are given uniforms and awarded belts, and in some cases have an end of life ceremony, where they are given a black belt embroidered with the words, “Master Teacher.” The empowerment that KKC provides for these children is immeasurable

For more information or to donate please visit Kids Kicking Cancer.net