When a mother receives the news that she has breast cancer, it’s not just she who has to deal with the difficult news; it’s her children as well.

For some of those kids, many find they cope better with a little creative self-expression. And Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada has a contest that can help.

Through Willow's unique write-in contest, "My Hero," children across Canada whose family has been affected by breast cancer can share inspiring family stories. They also have a chance to win money toward their future education.

Recently, I was able to meet 14-year-old Noah Mowat, who was Ontario regional winner of the contest two years ago. Noah was inspired to join the contest after his mom Dianne was diagnosed  when Noah was only seven.

"It was sort of scary because her hair was gone, and she was changing and I didn't really understand why,” he told me, adding that he didn't really process things, until he took pen to paper.

The process of writing a story for this contest can make a huge difference for children dealing with a loved one with breast cancer, says Virginia Yule, executive director with Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. She says the stress of cancer can affect a child's appetite, sleep and social behaviour. But writing legitimizes their feelings and brings “the monster out from under the bed,” so to speak.

"There certainly have been studies that have proven expression of one's feelings does provide a release and does limit or lessen the amount of stress a child is feeling," she says. 

In Noah's entry, he wrote: "It’s hard for a small child to understand the process of their mother getting ill. I thought she could just go to a doctor and get better all at once. Of course, it didn’t happen like that. I didn’t know if she would live."

Two years later, Noah says, his mom is still his hero and he's learned from her to never give up.

"It would probably make me persevere. If anything, it gets in my way, and I’ll do what she does and just keep on going and fight for anything,” he told me as his visibly proud mom stood beside him.

The contest is on now and is open to all children across Canada aged eight to 12. To enter the contest, children can go to BreastCancerHeroes.ca and submit a short essay telling Willow why they consider their family member their hero. The deadline is Friday, September 11.

Finalists will be eligible to receive one of five prizes, including a national grand prize of $3,000 toward their post-secondary education. Four prizes of $1,500 each will also be awarded regionally across Canada.

The contest is sponsored by Abraxis BioScience, Canada Inc.

To watch Monica Matys’ recent video reports, visit the CTV Toronto Health page