The video received 1.4 million hits in the first two days and currently has over 25 million. Reception for the poem has been overwhelmingly positive, receiving coverage on
CBS and
CBC News. Koyczan was chosen to read the poem and show to film at the
TED conference, California, in 2013, accompanied by violinist Hannah Epperson. After the video's release Koyczan received hundreds of letters from people that have experienced bullying. In 2013, Koyczan commented: My hope is [that it] would reach some of the people who were just out there looking for something to get them through another day. When I wrote the poem two years ago and people started coming to me because they just needed to talk after hearing it, I realized this is not a Canadian problem or an American problem, it’s everywhere...I believe the bullies must be forgiven. That’s how we heal. ==References==