A team led by Professor Shara Lee Wee-yee at Hong Kong Polytechnic University has introduced a mixed reality initiative designed to assist pediatric cancer patients. The program, known as HEROCARE, provides a virtual rehearsal of the radiotherapy process, allowing children and their families to experience the hospital environment and treatment procedures before they officially begin their care.

By simulating the clinical journey, the technology seeks to mitigate the fear and uncertainty often associated with cancer treatment in young patients. Beyond the direct benefit to families, the program serves as an educational tool for medical professionals. It is intended to help future radiotherapists refine their communication skills and develop the empathy necessary for high-quality patient care. The project emphasizes the importance of the 'human touch' in a medical field increasingly reliant on advanced technology, ensuring that the transition into clinical treatment is less intimidating for those involved.