Moms have a lot of job descriptions: doctor, cook, chauffeur, therapist, confidant, tutor, coach and peacekeeper… not to mention having a real life job on the side. Now some moms have to add hero to their resume.

More than 22,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada each year; that’s a lot of moms having to play a brand new and difficult role. As hard as it is to learn you have cancer, it is even harder to explain to a young child what it means to have cancer, and manage their fears and confusion in addition to your own.

This is why Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada and Abraxis BioScience have launched the My Hero Contest; a contest that gives young children an outlet to express their feelings and showcase their admiration for a loved-one battling breast cancer. In recognition of these brave children and their families, the top five submitters win an RESP for their future and/or education.

The thoughts and feelings of our children are important to us and there is a lot to be learned through their personal experiences. So whether it is a mother, aunt or grandmother, we want to encourage children to share their stories as they enter unfamiliar territory.

We are hoping that this contest provides an emotional outlet for Canada’s children as they stand behind and support their hero as they battle breast Cancer.

Please visit www.myherocontest.ca to learn more or to submit a story. If you know a child who has a loved one with breast cancer please spread the word and let them know that they are not alone.