Patient Resources for Brain Tumour Support NZ in collaboration with University of Auckland and the Centre for Brain Research

When parents have a brain tumour , sometimes their behaviour changes. How do you explain this to children in a way that they can understand, and answers questions that they may have about what their parents are experiencing?

Brain Tumour Support NZ’s brief was to design a patient resource that was appropriate for children of all ages, told in a story-telling device that was familiar to them, and provided empathy and sympathy of their current situation. It was therefore decided that a digital resource set up as a scrolling comic and a PDF Comic for print would provide the necessary deliverables. Designed to serve families, caregivers, and medical professionals, the comic can be used in therapy sessions, hospital settings, and educational workshops, making it a valuable tool in healthcare communication.

Children often struggle to process the emotional and behavioral changes that accompany a parent’s brain tumor diagnosis. Without proper guidance, they may feel scared, confused, or isolated. This comic simplifies medical information into a digestible, age-appropriate format while validating the child’s emotions.

Key Objectives:

  • Explain a parent’s behavior changes in an empathetic way.

  • Provide emotional reassurance to children navigating this difficult journey.

  • Offer an engaging, visual format that can be shared by therapists and healthcare professionals.

The Challenge

1. Research & Empathy Building

  • Worked with Neuroscientists, Professor at the University of Auckland to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.

2. Story Development

  • The script was written by Professor Neal Curtis. I then wrote this in comic form with the narrative from a child’s perspective, focusing on feelings of confusion and worry, and showing how understanding the medical condition provides clarity and comfort through a journey with friends into the brain.

3. Illustration & Design

  • Created warm, approachable characters to make the story relatable.

  • Used simple visual metaphors to convey complex emotions and concepts.

  • Colour Palette was mostly primary colours, bright and warm to appeal to kids.

4. Formatting for Versatility

  • Designed in A4 format for easy printing and distribution.

  • Ensured compatibility with digital platforms like PDFs and e-readers for broad accessibility.

The Process

Skills Highlighted

Medical Communication: Translating complex medical concepts into simple, visual narratives.

  • Illustration: Crafting engaging visuals tailored for a young audience.

  • Storytelling: Writing relatable, empathetic scripts for children.

  • Design for Print and Digital: Optimizing the comic for multiple formats and uses.

  • Collaboration: Working with healthcare professionals to ensure factual accuracy and emotional sensitivity.

Value as a Commercial Product

This comic is not just a creative project—it’s a resource that solves a real-world problem.

Key Commercial Applications:

  • Therapeutic Resource: Distributed by hospitals, psychologists, and child therapists to help families.

  • Educational Tool: Used in schools to teach empathy and awareness about medical conditions.

  • Healthcare Branding: Offers organizations a unique way to connect with their audience through compassionate storytelling.

Market Potential:
This comic can be licensed by hospitals, educational institutions, and NGOs, or sold directly as a digital or print product. Customization options allow organizations to tailor the comic to their branding or specific messaging needs.

Impact

This comic has the potential to alleviate anxiety in children, foster better communication within families, and empower healthcare professionals with an effective educational tool.

To check out this patient resource on Brain Tumour Support NZ’s website, you can view it here.