SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — A Detroit-area rabbi who lost his 2-year-old daughter to cancer decided he wanted to give sick kids a fighting chance.
So Elimelech Goldberg, a black belt in Choi Kwang Do, founded Kids Kicking Cancer.
The program teaches martial arts relaxation and meditation techniques to children with cancer and other serious illnesses. It is designed to help those kids manage the stress, anxiety and pain of their illnesses and medical treatments.
Martial arts classes, along with the proper attire, are free.
Known affectionately as "Rabbi G," Goldberg says the program he founded teaches kids to be victors, not victims.
Hundreds of young people take part in Michigan's Kids Kicking Cancer chapter. There are offshoots in New York, Los Angeles, Gainesville, Florida, Canada, Israel and Italy.