UCLA Resident Created Board Game for Cancer Patients

Tae-León Butler designed a specialized game to help children navigate their cancer treatment experiences.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Cancer

Gouache-painted editorial illustration featuring smooth wooden tokens on a neutral surface, evoking a sense of therapeutic and calm medical support. — UCLA graduate Tae-León Butler designed 'Cancer Crusher,' a specialized game intended to help pediatric patients process and navigate their medical treatment experiences. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

In 2012, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine graduate and pediatric resident Tae-León Butler conceived a board game called Cancer Crusher. The game is designed to help children communicate their health experiences through interactive play.

Why it matters

The game aims to provide pediatric patients with a sense of empowerment during treatment by focusing on tools to overcome setbacks. It helps children navigate the emotional and physical complexities of their medical journeys through specialized gameplay.

A pilot study currently includes 30 children between the ages of 6 and 12 alongside their caregivers. This research assesses how the game, which features a collaborative Team Mode, impacts patient understanding of treatment.

The players

Tae-León Butler

He is a UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine graduate and pediatric resident who developed the board game.

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

It is the educational institution where the game creator completed his medical studies.

The details

Tae-León Butler, who learned Adobe Illustrator at the Windward School to create his initial prototype in Los Angeles, designed the game to avoid traditional concepts of winning or losing. Instead, the game focuses on identifying specific tools that help players recover from setbacks and manage obstacles throughout their treatment process.

Tae-León Butler conceived the original game idea in 2012.
The article reports on the game and its pilot study in 2026.

The Big Picture

This effort follows a pattern set by the UCLA Health integrative pediatric oncology initiative by utilizing non-clinical tools to improve patient quality of life. Such projects reflect a broader shift toward incorporating psychosocial support systems into standard pediatric care protocols.

The game provides pediatric patients with a new, non-clinical way to process the difficulties of their treatment routines. By emphasizing collaboration over competition, it offers families a tool to foster communication and emotional resilience during care.

The takeaway

Using play as a therapeutic tool can help children feel more in control during intensive medical treatments. Families may consider incorporating similar collaborative games to encourage open communication about health challenges.