Welcome to World Eye Cancer Hope

Retinoblastoma is an aggressive eye cancer affecting babies and young children. It kills 7,000 youngsters each year, and blinds many more.

The most common early sign of childhood eye cancer is a white glow in the pupil of the affected eye. The cancer is easy to diagnose and when treated early, is very curable.

Suffering and death is highest in developing countries, where most affected children live and timely access to specialist cancer care is limited. In developed countries, cure is above 96%, but most children experience moderate, severe or complete vision loss. Globally, children, families and survivors experience significant emotional trauma.

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WE C Hope for All Children with Eye Cancer, Families & Survivors.

Increasing access to specialist care will bring the promise of life and sight to every child, and improved life-long health to survivors. This is our mission. We:

Educate the public and medical community about retinoblastoma to achieve early diagnosis and rapid referral to specialist care

Empower medical teams to deliver sustainable high quality evidence-based care for affected children and adult survivors.

Enable family support programs that reduce practical and emotional burdens and improve access to essential care

One Rb World 2024 Conference Report

The 7^th One Retinoblastoma World Conference took place October 15 – 17, 2024. We were delighted to welcome 175 medical professionals, Rb patients, survivors of all ages, family members, and scientists to Honolulu, Hawaii, and many more online for three days of programming, community and collaboration in the heart of the Pacific.

One Rb World 2024 was hosted by World Eye Cancer Hope USA, organized together with Jesse Berry MD, Director of Ocular Oncology & Retinoblastoma at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Dr. Sandra Staffieri, Retinoblastoma Care Coordinator at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Australia; and Maura Di Nicola MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.

Our conference report showcases three days of diverse sessions, child life programming, community-building social events, and a plethora of feedback from attendees. Please feel free to share, Mahalo nui loa!

Download the 2024 One Rb World Conference Report

Less Stress, More Success! Follow Our #RbChildLife Alphabet Of Hope

A child life specialist blows bubbles through an anesthesia mask towards a little girl

Caring for a child with retinoblastoma is so much more than treating the cancer. Child life focuses on the whole child – supporting their emotional, social, and developmental needs during stressful medical experiences, empowering families, and transforming care through education and play.

The #RbChildLife Alphabet of Hope highlights simple approaches and vital supports that help children with eye cancer and their families thrive during treatment and beyond.

Published every two weeks throughout 2025-6, each letter will be added to our website with links to further resources on the topic. Visit the Alphabet Hub to get involved.

Discover the #RbChildLife Alphabet Of Hope

Save The Date! 8th One Rb World, 12-14 September, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas

Join patients, survivors, family members, medical professionals, and scientists for three days of programming, community and collaboration in the Lone Star State.

The 8^th One Rb World Conference will take place before the 58^th International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) World Congress, which will be held in San Antonio, 15-18 September 2026.

We recognize our 2026 conference falls during Rosh Hashanah, and we apologize for any conflicts this may create. We hope many in our community will be able to participate, and we remain committed to making the conference as accessible and inclusive as possible.

You’ll find a very warm welcome with us in San Antonio, where we’ll advance patient-centred care and research for all together!

Find Out More About One Rb World

Stay up-to-date with WE C Hope’s eNewsletter!

A Glint or a Squint Could Be Your Hint of Eye Cancer!!

A baby boy looks at the camera. his right eye shows a white reflex while his left eye is turned in towards his nose.

Strabismus (turned eye) and leukocoria (white pupil), the most common signs of retinoblastoma, can also occur in healthy eyes

Being aware of these signs and seeking medical care early saves children’s lives and sight.

Prompt investigation of all signs and symptoms is vital to diagnose childhood eye cancer early. Timely diagnosis provides the best opportunity to save a child’s life and sight.

Discover the Signs & Symptoms

Buy WE C Hope Merch and More – Visit Our Store!

Nine panels feature eight different items available on World Eye Cancer Hope‘s TeePublic store, including a spiral bound notebook, a black running vest, a white tote bag, a red T-shirt, a mobile phone case, a green T-shirt, a white coffee mug, and a white long sleeve T-shirt with grey sleeves. In the centre panel, text reeds: “World Eye Cancer Hope merchandise now available at TeePublic. Along the bottom, text reeds use our unique link and a percentage of your purchase is donated to WE C Hope.

Wear your care for our retinoblastoma community with WE C Hope branded apparel, caps, bags, mugs, and much more. Buy exclusive gold ribbon designs, event-specific merch, and branded gear and gifts from for our fabulous partner, KnowTheGlow.

Help expand our range of designs, and sport your support for early diagnosis, patient-centred medical care, and support for all, for life!

Find Out More & Visit Our Store

Support Kids During Needle Related Procedures

Kenyan Child Life Specialist, Jayne Kamau, distracts a young patient with a meteor shower toy while a nurse inserts an IV in her hand.

Only 5% of children have support for immunization needle pain.

Seriously ill children experience many needle related procedures, rarely with adequate pain suppor.

Pain and distress can be managed and reduced. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO HURT.

Parents, ask how to manage your child’s pain. Healthcare providers, please give parents options.

Learn how to make needles easier and safer for everyone.

Find Needle Supports for All Ages

WE C Hope Blog

The Informed Parent: 6 Tips for Staying Up to Date in a Social Media World

March 10, 2018

Google and social media play an increasingly significant role in the lives of families affected by retinoblastoma, but without careful use, they can complicate a child’s medical care and even put life at risk. Dr. Jesse Berry shares her recommendations for being a safely informed parent advocate in the modern hyper-connected age.

A diagram showing DePict in the midlle, next to the patient, and all members of the care team who can interact with the system to enhance the child's care. All care is underpinned by child life support.

DePICT the Cancer Care Journey: Overcome Rarity Through Collaborative Research

February 25, 2018

Brenda Gallie, global leader in retinoblastoma clinical care, research and innovation, discusses an exciting technology promising to improve care during treatment and beyond. DePICTRB supports collaboration among the child’s entire circle of care, gives parents open access to their child’s record, and empowers clinical research.

Wrapped up against the cold, Jim and Liza Valavanis and their three children are pictured together in a snowy winter wonderland.

Life Through Sam’s Eyes: How Our Blind Son Helped Us See

January 27, 2018

What does it mean to be told your 12 week old baby has a rare eye cancer? Jim Valavanis shares his experience of first-time parenting, nearly five years of childhood cancer treatment, and Life Through Sam's Eyes - the hope-filled book that emerged from his healing journey.

Quote and text in gold bevelled font below multi-coloured lights on a tree: “Happiness depends upon ourselves” – Aristotle.

12 Ways to be Happier in the New Year

December 31, 2017

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New beginnings, hopes, dreams, possibilities, resolutions. January is an ideal time to explore how we can make our daily lives happier. Our volunteer CEO, Abby White, shares New Year greetings, tips for a happier 2018, and a personal message of change as the New Year begins.

Photographers

A baby has one red pupil and one white pupul - the classic early sign of eye cancer in children.

Know The Glow!

Learn about the most common early sign of childhood eye cancer – a white reflection in the pupil, seen in dim light and flash photos. Find out how to take photos to check for signs of serious eye disease in children.

FIND OUT MORE

Parents & Survivors

Sera is smiling as she holds up a large model eye in a space filled with greenery. She has medium-toned skin, her braided hair is decorated with small white beads, and she wears a long-sleeved light pink top.

Find Hope

We offer the Retinoblastoma Resource to supplement information provided by your medical team, answer questions and concerns about all aspects of life with Rb, increase understanding and share hope.

Family & Friends

How You Can Help

Forget “let me know if I can do anything to help”! Carefully considered and offered support will be truly valued. We have many suggestions from parents that have brought families relief, joy and hope.

Give Hope

Sun reflects gold on Daisy's hair as she smiles and laughs while clutching a big bunch of daisies.

Help Change Lives!

There are so many ways you can help us bring hope of cure and better quality of life to children with eye cancer, families and survivors. Donate online now, or become a fundraising angel. Together, WE C Hope!