Against a background of brightly coloured musical notes and butterflies, text reads: “Ah Music, a magic beyond all we do here.” Albus Dumbledore.

#TuesdayTunes: Songs With Meaning

Throughout this year, we have shared monthly #TuesdayTunes on our social media – songs chosen by parents, survivors and professionals in our retinoblastoma community because of their special personal meaning.  As the year draws to a close, we gather together all this beautiful music and insight, and welcome in the new decade with heart.

Close up of a child with leukocoria detected by CRADLE, with results boxes around both eyes and magnified images of both eyes below the main photo.

From CRADLE to Care: Your Photos Can Help Scientists Build an App for Parents to Diagnose Serious Child Eye Disease Early.

A White pupil is the most common early sign of eye cancer in young children, and it’s usually seen first in photos. Do you want to turn your smartphone into a powerful cancer-detector? Mark Billings, WE C Hope USA Director, tells the story behind the CRADLE app and explains how you can help scientists improve it.

A crimson bauble hangs in focus, golden fairy lights reflected in its shiny surface, one glowing particularly white. The tree and lights are blurred in the background.

12 Ways to Have a More Joyful Holiday

This season can be particularly tough when childhood cancer or its long term effects loom large for a family or individual. Retinoblastoma survivor and volunteer CEO, Abby White, shares advice for creating a calmer, more spacious and joyful Holiday, where self-care for all takes priority.

Image: The word “bullying” is positioned in the middle of a white circle, defined by a red outer line. A diagonal red line runs from top right to bottom left of the circle. Other words are seen in pale colours throughout the white circle. These words are:

Bullying After Retinoblastoma: How to Help Kids Respond With Confidence

Children diagnosed with retinoblastoma are especially vulnerable and sensitive to bullying due to treatment effects. Morgan Livingstone CCLS discusses what bullying is and isn’t, how parents can recognize the signs, and help young Rb survivors use stories and develop skills to stand up to bullies with confidence.

A young girl wearing medical gloves, glasses and a stethascope prepares to practive a procedure on a medical play puppet.

6 Ways to Help Older Children and Teens Cope With and Conquer Hospital Anxiety

Many children and teenagers experience anxiety with medical interactions after retinoblastoma diagnosis.  Pediatric registered nurse and child life intern, Michelle Badejo, describes how hospital anxiety can manifest, and explores how parents can help them cope, be active participants in their ongoing care, and raise their quality of life.

A group of teenagers enjoy a game of volleyball on a sand court surrounded by trees, under a cloud-dusted blue sky.

When Survivors Grow Up: Family Experiences After Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is highly curable, but lifelong impacts are significant for survivors, siblings, parents and extended family. After a particularly painful personal insight, Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO Abby White asked families and survivors about their own experiences of life beyond childhood eye cancer care.

Close-up of a baby's face

How Do I Create A Family When I Have An RB1 Mutation?

Individuals who carry an RB1 mutation have a 50% chance of passing the retinoblastoma cancer syndrome on to each child.  Melissa Mills, bilateral retinoblastoma survivor and genetic counsellor, explores the psychological and physical impacts of this experience, and the different routes to creating a family when a prospective parent has an RB1 mutation..

A large group photo, showing 40+ people of all ages.

A Day Well Spent – California Family Day

Local in-person support specific to the needs of families and survivors affected by retinoblastoma is much needed but very rare. Lisa Hester, mother of a young Rb survivor, reflects on the second WE C Hope California Family Day, held in August 2019, the seeds of our mission to bring this support to all across America.

Distant view of families and volunteers gathered on a wooden bridge over a serene pond, and around its margins. All the vibrant colours of the people, forest, blue sky and impending golden sunset are reflected in the wishpond’s still waters.

Reflections of Camp Sunshine by Rb Moms

A diagnosis of childhood eye cancer impacts families in so many ways, during the immediate crisis of treatment, and years after “cure”. Knowing you are not alone on the journey is the greatest comfort and strength. Five mothers reflect on the healing power of Camp Sunshine, a retreat that cares for the entire family when cancer strikes.

Five smooth pebbles are stacked in decreasing size on a beach, where lively surf rolls into shore. The high sky is clear blue, with a few clouds above the horizon, which is lightly tinged with a pale peachy glow of sunrise or sunset.

Mindfulness Tips for Retinoblastoma Families and Supporting Teachers

Living with the daily effects of childhood eye cancer can be overwhelming, for all family members. Both the immediate crisis of diagnosis and treatment, and the long-term impacts and risks. Child Life Intern and Student Teacher, Meagan Fuller, highlights some simple mindfulness techniques parents and children can use to ease daily tension.