SBIR and STTR Success Story for
The Degge Group, Ltd.

(Information Posted/Updated on 09/09/2007)

The Degge Group, Ltd.
1616 N. Fort Myer Drive
Suite 1430
Arlington, VA  22209

Contact:    Sharmila A. Kamani
Phone:      703-276-0067 ext 107
Fax:          703-276-0069
E-mail:      info@kidzwithleukemia.com
Web Site:  http://www.kidzwithleukemia.com

Project Title:  LEVELS OF LEARNING ABOUT CANCER BY PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Related Award(s):  R44 CA71271
Technology Developed:
Interactive multimedia CD-ROM entitled “Kidz with Leukemia: A Space Adventure” for 4-11 year-olds with leukemia (PC compatible), their friends and families. With the help of games, voiceover, videos, animation, graphics, and music, children learn about their illness, diagnosis, treatment, as well as some helpful coping skills. There are 3 pathways in this CD-ROM (4-6 year-olds, for which no reading is required; 7-11 year-olds, and adult).

Key Words:  leukemia, child, cancer, education, interactive, multimedia, CD-ROM, pediatric.
Uses of Technology/Products/Service:
With the help of games, voiceover, videos, animation, graphics, and music, this interactive multimedia CD-ROM helps children with leukemia learn about their illness, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as offers some helpful coping skills during their cancer treatment. Various cancer clinics, children’s hospitals, cancer organizations and camps, and many families with a cancer patient have copies of our CD-ROM, which helps children with leukemia and their families learn about the illness in a non-threatening and fun way. The CD-ROM also helps kids pass their time and get distracted while getting chemotherapy. There are 3 pathways in this CD-ROM: for 4-6 year-olds (for which no reading is required); for 7-11 year-olds; for adults.

Benefit to Company:
- The CD-ROM has won 4 awards to date: “All Star Software Award” – Children’s Software Revue, 2002; “Roland Tibbetts Award” from SBA for “Model of Excellence”, 2001; “Cool for Kids Award – Technology Games, 2000; and “Outstanding Achievement Award” – Commonwealth of Virginia, 1999.

- This project led to successful publications in each of the following journals – Patient Education and Counseling (46; 2002), and The Patient’s Network (Winter 2000). The CD-ROM received favorable reviews in the following journals – American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (May 15, 2001), Library Journal (April 1, 2001), as well as in various newsletters by childhood cancer organizations and children’s interactive technology groups.

- This CD-ROM, along with the awards, reviews, and publications, helped us become a known entity in the pediatric oncology world. We were approached by some senior pediatric oncology researchers to help them develop a web site for survivors of childhood cancer, which we successfully completed in early 2006.

- The success of this project & product helped us think about future childhood cancer products, and we successfully developed another excellent resource for adolescents with solid tumors in 2006 – “Conquering Cancer Network: Empowering Teens with Tools, Info, and Inspiring Stories” (aka CCN). Developed with SBIR funding from NCI, this interactive multimedia CD-ROM educates teens with solid tumors about their diagnosis, treatment, side effects, coping skills, and potential effects. CCN includes voiceovers, videos, graphics, games, and animations. Comprehensive information is presented in a teen-friendly format, and this is an excellent teaching tool for healthcare providers. For more information including product reviews, excerpts, and testimonials please visit www.conqueringcancer.net.

- Through August 2007, 516 copies of the CD-ROM have been sold in 15 countries (including 37 states in the United States of America), thereby adding to the company's revenues. We also have one licensing agreement with a children’s hospital and are working on others.

- Talks are on with pharmaceutical companies re: sponsorship, so a certain number of this CD-ROM may be available free of cost to families in the near future.

How Product Was Commercialized:
Internet, mailings, exhibiting at conferences, reviews and publications in magazines/newsletters.

Other Comments Related to Company's Success Story:
We would like to thank the NIH reviewers, and especially the NCI scientific project manager for their favorable support and assistance throughout the life of this project and beyond.

Past R&D and/or Sales from this Project:   $19,012.
Estimated Future Annual R&D and/or Sales from this Project:   $20,000 or more next 5 yrs