Press release posted 23 February 2026
Innovative Virtual Experience for Young Cancer Patients
In a pioneering initiative, young cancer patients can now immerse themselves in a virtual representation of the proton beam therapy centre at The Christie in Manchester, all within the beloved world of Minecraft. This groundbreaking project marks a significant milestone as it is believed to be the first instance of a working NHS health facility being accurately recreated in the game.
This imaginative Minecraft environment is the result of a collaborative effort between The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Microsoft, alongside Minecraft Education. Designed with valuable insights from The Christie’s clinical and health play specialist teams, the virtual world aims to familiarize children and young people with essential areas of the proton beam centre before they undergo treatment. By doing so, it seeks to alleviate anxiety, foster curiosity, and encourage questions during a challenging time.
The Christie, which treats around 120 paediatric patients annually with proton beam therapy—a specialized form of radiotherapy—hopes this engaging platform will ease the apprehension young patients often experience when they arrive for their first treatment session.
Proton beam therapy utilizes protons, the small particles found at the center of atoms, to deliver precisely calculated doses of radiation aimed at treating various diseases. This method allows for a high therapeutic dose to be directed at the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, thus enhancing treatment efficacy.
Within the Minecraft world, players can explore meticulously crafted areas that mirror the real-life proton beam therapy centre. Key locations include:
- Reception
- Atrium
- Waiting areas
- Imaging rooms
- Play preparation room
- School/education space
Additionally, young explorers can navigate corridors leading to interactive MRI and CT scanners, and even peek into consulting spaces, treatment gantries, and recovery bays. The experience is enhanced with playful elements, such as a functioning MRI, operational taps, computer screens, a playable keyboard piano, and hidden ‘secret rooms,’ all designed to bring moments of joy alongside clinically accurate features. Notably, the Minecraft version has been scaled up to approximately five times the size of the actual centre, facilitating easier navigation and clearer sightlines.
The Minecraft Education team meticulously crafted this environment using photographs and information gathered during site tours, supplemented by reference materials provided by The Christie. Every patient-facing space is represented to authentically reflect the experiences families encounter during treatment. The health play specialist team will guide sessions, ensuring meaningful conversations for each child.
To maintain the integrity of the experience during guided sessions, the core environment will be made ‘immutable’ (not destructible), while offering optional zones where children can safely engage in building activities under staff encouragement.
This innovative Minecraft proton beam therapy centre has been primarily developed by Microsoft’s Paul Flaherty and Joanne Healy on a voluntary basis, with contributions from early careers staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
Among the first to explore this virtual space is 10-year-old Ramatulaye, affectionately known as Rama, who resides in Bradford. Having undergone chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, she is now receiving proton beam therapy at The Christie. Rama expressed her excitement about the Minecraft experience:
“It looks just the same as the hospital, it’s so cool. I got to explore the playroom and the gantry where I have treatment every day. The hospital feels very big when you get here, so being able to explore it in Minecraft helps you to understand where everything is, which is great. I think other children would love it just as much as me.”
Joanne Healy, a developer at Microsoft, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “Working with The Christie’s team helped us focus on the moments that matter most to young patients, from arriving to meeting staff and seeing the equipment. Our goal was to create a faithful, calm space with a few playful touches so children can explore at their own pace, ask questions, and feel more confident.”
Tom Edwards, the proton beam therapy centre manager at The Christie, shared his enthusiasm for the project, noting, “Having seen through my own children how fascinated they are by Minecraft, I knew that this would be a fantastic way for our young patients to explore the proton beam centre and overcome their fears. That’s why I was so excited to work with the Minecraft developers to help them build a version of our proton beam therapy centre in Minecraft. We are really grateful to Microsoft and all their volunteer coders who have created this amazing way for our patients to gain confidence before their treatment.”
