Sleep is vital to a child’s healthy development, and there are many simple, practical ways parents and caregivers can support healthful sleep. But what happens when stress and traumatic experiences affect a child’s sleep? Paediatric nurse and child life specialist, Cindy Pilchuk, offers practical trauma-informed sleep supports to aid children’s coping and restorative sleep.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bekah-First-Cryo-edited.jpg495640Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-06-22 08:00:202026-06-22 08:01:33Trauma-Informed Sleep Supports: How to Help Your Child When Traditional Sleep Supports Are Not Enough
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.
Siblings of children with retinoblastoma often experience big fears, worries and emotions when their brother or sister is first diagnosed, during treatment, and beyond. Early Years Educator and Child Life Intern Keanna Gordon explores childhood eye cancer from the sibling’s perspective, and how parents can best support their wellbeing.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Mother-and-Child.jpg10002000Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-05-25 08:00:572026-05-25 08:04:13How To Support Siblings of Children With Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma took center stage March 17-21, 2026 when 500 ocular oncologists, allied professionals, and patient advocates gathered on the shores of Rio de Janeiro for the International Society of Ocular Oncology conference. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President and Founding Board Member of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, shares highlights and reflections from four days of community, collaboration, and progress.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ISOO26-St.-Jude-Working-Group.jpg11502048Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-05-11 08:00:472026-05-06 17:54:55Retinoblastoma Reigns in Rio: Global Collaboration, Research, and Hope at ISOO 2026
Eye cancer is a potentially overwhelming experience for young children, whether patient or sibling. Child life can radically improve care and life for the entire family, but too many children lack access to this specialist support. Abby White shares how WE C Hope supported Child Life programs are helping to change that.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Medical-Play-Sarah-Hughes-Calgary-2019-1-scaled.jpg20442560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-04-27 08:00:522026-05-25 06:48:00Child Life Programs: Play With Purpose at Retinoblastoma Gatherings
Linda Conyard MGestT explores the grief that can arise from retinoblastoma diagnosis, treatment, eye removal surgery, loss of innocence, and mutilated family life. She considers the potential harm of suppressing this grief, and offers both families/survivors and medical professionals ways to prevent prolonged suffering.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Loss-Remaking-of-Life.jpg6301200Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-04-13 08:00:312026-04-13 08:07:09Make Space for Grief: Honour the place you are in
A mother asked: “How do we create joy in amidst the isolation, uncertainty, fear, and grief of retinoblastoma?” As people worldwide grappled with similar questions through the COVID-19 pandemic, child life specialist Morgan Livingstone explored why joy is a superpower, and how we can nurture it in ourselves and others. In all tough times, joy is vital to help body and mind release tension and nourish hope.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Father-and-child-playing-cars-scaled.jpg17072560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-03-30 08:00:192026-03-30 08:04:12Why Joy is a Superpower and How to Nurture Daily Joy – Even in Tough Times
Babies and young children rely on all their senses for learning and development, communication, comfort and coping. Jocelyn Leworthy, RECE, CIMI explores the role our senses play in daily life and development from our earliest days, and how we can encourage fun sensory stimulation to nourish young lives.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sight.jpg604845Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-03-16 08:00:242026-03-16 08:02:49How to Support Sensory Development and Engagement In Babies and Young Children
Having medical procedures can be tough for children, especially when many are repeated during a long course of medical care. Though necessary, they do not need to be painful. Maria Sohail, child life intern and Masters Candidate in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, explores a range of pain management strategies that can support a child’s mind and body comfort.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/COVID-Distraction.jpeg366650Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-03-02 08:00:002026-03-09 13:17:44No Pain = Gain: How to Manage your Child’s Pain During Uncomfortable Experiences
Parents and survivors shared their thoughts on the “Through Our Eyes” wall at the One Rb World meeting in Washington D.C., 9-11 October 2017. These powerful insights were gathered anonymously via this website during September 2017, and highlight wide-ranging concerns.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Through-Our-Eyes-Display.jpg18752500Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-02-16 08:00:322026-02-16 08:06:04Through Our Eyes at One Retinoblastoma World 2017
Trauma-Informed Sleep Supports: How to Help Your Child When Traditional Sleep Supports Are Not Enough
Sleep is vital to a child’s healthy development, and there are many simple, practical ways parents and caregivers can support healthful sleep. But what happens when stress and traumatic experiences affect a child’s sleep? Paediatric nurse and child life specialist, Cindy Pilchuk, offers practical trauma-informed sleep supports to aid children’s coping and restorative sleep.
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.
How To Support Siblings of Children With Retinoblastoma
Siblings of children with retinoblastoma often experience big fears, worries and emotions when their brother or sister is first diagnosed, during treatment, and beyond. Early Years Educator and Child Life Intern Keanna Gordon explores childhood eye cancer from the sibling’s perspective, and how parents can best support their wellbeing.
Retinoblastoma Reigns in Rio: Global Collaboration, Research, and Hope at ISOO 2026
Retinoblastoma took center stage March 17-21, 2026 when 500 ocular oncologists, allied professionals, and patient advocates gathered on the shores of Rio de Janeiro for the International Society of Ocular Oncology conference. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President and Founding Board Member of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, shares highlights and reflections from four days of community, collaboration, and progress.
Child Life Programs: Play With Purpose at Retinoblastoma Gatherings
Eye cancer is a potentially overwhelming experience for young children, whether patient or sibling. Child life can radically improve care and life for the entire family, but too many children lack access to this specialist support. Abby White shares how WE C Hope supported Child Life programs are helping to change that.
Make Space for Grief: Honour the place you are in
Linda Conyard MGestT explores the grief that can arise from retinoblastoma diagnosis, treatment, eye removal surgery, loss of innocence, and mutilated family life. She considers the potential harm of suppressing this grief, and offers both families/survivors and medical professionals ways to prevent prolonged suffering.
Why Joy is a Superpower and How to Nurture Daily Joy – Even in Tough Times
A mother asked: “How do we create joy in amidst the isolation, uncertainty, fear, and grief of retinoblastoma?” As people worldwide grappled with similar questions through the COVID-19 pandemic, child life specialist Morgan Livingstone explored why joy is a superpower, and how we can nurture it in ourselves and others. In all tough times, joy is vital to help body and mind release tension and nourish hope.
How to Support Sensory Development and Engagement In Babies and Young Children
Babies and young children rely on all their senses for learning and development, communication, comfort and coping. Jocelyn Leworthy, RECE, CIMI explores the role our senses play in daily life and development from our earliest days, and how we can encourage fun sensory stimulation to nourish young lives.
No Pain = Gain: How to Manage your Child’s Pain During Uncomfortable Experiences
Having medical procedures can be tough for children, especially when many are repeated during a long course of medical care. Though necessary, they do not need to be painful. Maria Sohail, child life intern and Masters Candidate in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, explores a range of pain management strategies that can support a child’s mind and body comfort.
Through Our Eyes at One Retinoblastoma World 2017
Parents and survivors shared their thoughts on the “Through Our Eyes” wall at the One Rb World meeting in Washington D.C., 9-11 October 2017. These powerful insights were gathered anonymously via this website during September 2017, and highlight wide-ranging concerns.