Give Courage to Children Fighting Cancer

We're blessed in Metro Detroit to have one of the nation's leading medical facilities when it comes to providing specialized health care for children located near us in the University of Michigan's C.S. MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.  My kids have been fortunate to have never had to use the facility ourselves, but a family friend's child has undergone heart surgery there, a professional colleague's son has received treatment for a life-threatening blood disorder from them and a neighbor's daughter waged a successful battle against cancer with their assistance so I understand this hospital is a godsend for many families.

Last week the company that manufactures the iamelemental line of action figure toys for girls, that we've reviewed on A Geek Daddy in the past, sent a very special shipment to C.S. MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.  They provided a batch of Courage action figures from their iamelemental collection to girls who are staying at the hospital to encourage them to be courageous in their personal medical struggles.  These girls may not have the super powers we see fantastic heroes have in comic books, television and movies but they are all super in their own ways as everyday they engage in life or death battles with medical conditions.  Something as simple as an action figure can make a big difference in whether one of these patients has a good or bad day and are great motivation for these real life super heroes.

iamelemental started sending these shipments to children in the hospital when the family of a C.S. MOTT cancer patient named Anna who was a big fan of these female super hero action figures reached out to the company.  You can read Anna's story here.  Based upon Anna's love of the iamelemental toys, the company began their BUY ONE/DONATE ONE FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER program.  People like you who purchase a Courage iamelemental action figure through this program also support the distribution of these toys to girls staying at C.S. MOTT and other children's hospitals around the United States.  Organizations like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Make-A-Wish, and the Rally Foundation have helped distribute hundreds of iamelemental figures over the last year.

Unfortunately, the hospitals receiving these donation go through them almost as quickly as they receive them.  That last sentence really puts into perspective just how staggering the number of children suffering from cancer and other life threatening basis is.  It is easy not to think about sick kids when it isn't directly impacting our own families but there are many people out there struggling to get through some tough medical fights and even small gestures such as giving a child a toy can be a great boast to their spirits.

iamelemental isn't a huge corporation it is a small business started by two moms who wanted their to be more options for super hero toys that girls could relate to.  They don't have the resources to provide unlimited action figures to meet demand.  With customers joining them though they can make a positive difference.  Give someone Courage this Valentine's Day by participating in iamelemental's BUY ONE/DONATE ONE for childhood cancer program.

Courage is iamelemental's first Core Power and is made up of the 7 Elements of Courage.  Bravery, Energy, Honesty, Industry, Enthusiasm, Persistence and Fear - all of these powerful characteristics are part of COURAGE. She's stands 6.5" tall and has over 30 (yes, we said +30!) points of articulation. She comes with removable helmet, chest armor, flaming Energy Sword and Courage Shield.

In support of Childhood Cancer Awareness, iamelemental is conducting a Buy One, Donate One program. For every Courage Core Power female action figure purchased, we will distribute one figure to a child affected by cancer. CLICK HERE to purchase Courage and to help give COURAGE to someone else in need of some positive motivation.



For more information, please visit iamelemental.com

IAmElemental - Action Figures for Girls

My twin 6 year old son and daughter really enjoy playing together with super hero themed action figures and I really enjoy that during these play times there tends to be harmony and peace in the house versus the bickering and fighting that often occurs between siblings.  One issue though that isn't so nice that often comes up when they are playing "super heroes" is out of the twenty or so action figures my kids have only one is a woman and the rest are men so at some point the question always comes up from my daughter why can't she have more girl super hero toys to play with and why does her brother get to have more toys than her.  I explain that the toys are for both of them to enjoy and unfortunately most of the characters just happen to be boys but if we see some girl super hero characters at the store we'll pick them up for her.  I also make an effort to explain that just because the super hero characters are guys doesn't mean she can't as a girl enjoy playing with them and she shouldn't worry about something being a "girl" or "boy" toy but rather focus on having fun playing with any toy she wants to.  That being said it would be nice to have a few more lady super heroes for my daughter to play with.

Therefore, I was happy to have recently discovered a new line of action figures meant to show girls and boys that women can be super heroes too.   Launched last year, IAmElemental is a series of seven 4" articulated action figures that are individually packaged and include a drawstring carry bag, shield, an interchangeable accessory, Elements of Power chart and two trading cards featuring strong, healthy female super heroes.  In addition to the super hero aspect of these action figures, the toy line also incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) to help encourage girls to take interest in these professional fields where women traditionally lag in comparison to men.  Individual figures are $9.99 and are available to purchase online and at these retail stores.  At 4" these action figures are also a nice size so that they are relatively compatible to playing with other popular action figure lines like DC Comics Justice League, Marvel's Avengers, and Star Wars toys that tend to range in size from 3.75 to 4 inches as standard sizes.



Each IAmElemental action figure has its own unique theme.  For the current 7 figure lineup the characters represent bravery, energy, honesty, industry, enthusiasm, persistence, and fear:

 BRAVERY does not shrink from challenge or difficulty.  She has the ability to create a protective force-field around herself and others.

ENERGY approaches life with excitement and does not do things half way.  She has the ability to control electrical impulses.

HONESTY tells the truth. She has the ability to make others tell the truth.

INDUSTRY works hard at all she does.  She has the ability to control physical objects and repair anything that is broken.

ENTHUSIASM cultivates and shares a positive mindset.  She has the ability to change the negative emotions of others.

PERSISTENCE finishes what she starts and persists in spite of obstacles.  She has the ability to push through any obstacle with super strength.

FEAR spreads the impulse to pull away.  She has the ability to stop a moving object in its tracks.

IAmElemental action figures were named one of the "25 Best Inventions of 2014" and "Top 10 Toys of 2014" by TIME Magazine. These toys are suggested for children 4 years old and older. In addition to purchasing the action figures individually they can also be purchased in a bundle that includes a lunchbox carry case for $65. For parents or grandparents of elementary school aged girls and boys, these are some action figures this Geek Daddy believes you should check out. 

IAmElemental was started as a Kickstarter campaign that met its funding goals in 2 days drawing backers from all 50 states and six continents. According to Julie Kerwin with the privately held New York City-based toy company behind these action figures, "IAmElemental, which was launched to worldwide acclaim via Kickstarter, envisions kids as the creators of a play experience in which they are the active agents in a story of their own design."



For more information, visit www.iamelemental.com