We are proud to share a very exciting initiative in revolutionizing pediatric cancer care that The Morgan Adams Foundation is a partner of:
RadFlix is an innovative system designed to transform the way children experience radiation therapy. With RadFlix, young cancer patients can watch their favorite movies during treatment, reducing stress and anxiety through the power of positive distraction.
RadFlix was created in 2018 by Douglas Holt, MD and Brian Miller, PhD at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Holt and Miller learned about using videos to distract young patients during difficult treatment and were determined to figure out how to make it possible for kids receiving radiation.
It wasn’t an easy task, but Holt and Miller successfully created a radiotransparent projector screen that allows radiation to pass through it without affecting the treatment dose and target. RadFlix has been used for hundreds of kids and teens receiving radiation treatment at the University of Colorado Cancer Center since 2019.
In 2022, The Morgan Adams Foundation partnered with Holt and Miller to help bring their vision forward for more kids with cancer by expanding RadFlix to institutions across the United States and Canada.
What is RadFlix?
RadFlix is a state-of-the-art system created to alleviate the emotional and physical strain that comes with pediatric radiation treatments. These sessions, which can involve up to 30 daily visits or more, require children to lie very still, often for long periods of time. In some cases, especially for brain tumor patients, the child may need to be immobilized using a customized thermoplastic mask that keeps the head in place during treatment. 
Due to the nature of radiation treatment, kids must be alone in the room which can increase their anxiety. Until now, children who struggled to remain still during these sessions often had to be sedated. While effective, sedation carries its own risks and can be an additional burden for families already dealing with the challenges of cancer treatment.
That’s where RadFlix comes in: it offers a distraction-based alternative that not only entertains but significantly reduces the need for daily sedation to get through radiation treatment. RadFlix also helps kids feel less alone and reduces anxiety of the patient and their parents.
The Power of Positive Distraction
Positive distraction is a well-researched technique that helps patients focus on something other than pain or discomfort, making the experience more tolerable. For children undergoing radiation, watching a favorite movie or show can be a welcome escape, helping them relax and reduce the trauma associated with these treatments.
The positive impact of video distraction on pediatric patients is well-documented. By providing a focus on entertainment, children experience less anxiety and emotional distress during their sessions, making it easier for both them and their families to endure the rigors of treatment.
How Does RadFlix Work?
Unlike traditional screens that interfere with radiation beams, RadFlix features a radiotransparent screen and projector system. This technology is designed specifically for radiation environments, ensuring compatibility with both CT Simulators and Proton and Photon beam radiation systems.
RadFlix has been rigorously tested at the University of Colorado over the past three years, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. The system is robust, reliable, and, most importantly, kid-friendly. Following a successful trial, we began rolling out RadFlix to hospitals across the United States in 2023, with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital being the first installation outside of the trial facility. We have also secured contracts with four more hospitals in the U.S.
Expanding Our Reach
Along with creators Douglas Holt and Brian Miller, our mission is to make RadFlix available in every hospital in North America that treats pediatric cancer patients. We are currently preparing to bring this groundbreaking system to hospitals across Canada, marking an exciting new chapter in our efforts to improve the cancer treatment experience for children.
The Morgan Adams Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for pediatric cancer patients, and RadFlix is a crucial step in fulfilling that mission. By providing access to positive distraction through RadFlix, we are working to ensure that no child has to endure the trauma of radiation treatment without the comfort of a favorite movie or show.
A Brighter Future for Pediatric Cancer Care
At The Morgan Adams Foundation, we believe that every child deserves the best possible care during their cancer treatment journey. RadFlix is more than just a technological innovation—it’s a patient-centered solution designed to make an incredibly challenging time just a little bit easier for children and their families.
We are proud to support RadFlix and look forward to helping bring this life-changing technology to hospitals across North America, ensuring that more kids can experience a radically different, less stressful radiation treatment process.
Piper’s RadFlix Experience
“RadFlix transformed Piper’s experience with radiation! It allowed her to focus on what she wanted to watch instead of the scary parts of radiation. Whether jumping across rooftops with Aladdin or giggling in her mind with Bing Bong from Inside Out, RadFlix gave Piper the opportunity to escape worry and go back to being a kid.
RadFlix even helped us as parents. We knew that despite what radiation involves, our daughter was just on the other side of the wall watching something she loved. We can’t imagine Piper going through radiation without RadFlix.”
– Bailey and Doug, Piper’s parents
RadFlix is an innovative initiative to improve care and quality of life for kids and teens with cancer.
Click here to help bring RadFlix to hospitals throughout North America.
