Routine blood tests and immunizations often cause pain and fear. Retinoblastoma screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care involves countless needle procedures. It doesn’t have to hurt! Parents and professionals can bring comfort and calm to any needle procedure. Rb survivor and WE C Hope founder, Abby White; and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore practical, evidence-based ways to reduce needle pain and support healthy coping for babies and children.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Distraction1.jpg306250Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2026-01-05 08:00:362026-01-06 16:36:13It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: How to Make Needle Procedures Kinder for Kids
In September 2025, 140 survivors, patients, family members, friends and medical professionals gathered at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the 7th Southern California Rb Family Day, sharing laughter, tears, and powerful solidarity. WE C Hope USA President and Founding Board Member, Marissa D. Gonzalez, reflects on this transformative day filled with love and light, and the hope and healing nurtured in community.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/All-Guests-Wide-Shot.jpg11192100Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-12-15 08:00:572025-12-15 01:39:077th SoCal Rb Family Day Grows a Resilient Community Where No One Faces Retinoblastoma Alone
Play is the language, university, and business of childhood. Medical play is a key part of child-focused health care, helping young patients learn, reduce fear, and take part in their care. Sophie Goldberg, child life intern and student of Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, explores what medical play is, and how you can use it to empower your child through their medical experiences.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Picture1.png1113833Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-12-01 08:00:562025-12-01 08:01:35Play – The Key Ingredient to Pediatric Medical Care
A diagnosis of childhood cancer can leave parents feeling adrift and utterly alone. The friends who walk with them through their child’s medical care are often cherished lifelong, and from a central thread in their own healing. Megan Santos reflects on the many friendships formed before, during and after her daughter’s treatment for retinoblastoma.
All children exhibit undesirable behaviour at times, particularly when they are stressed, but deliberate misbehaviour is rare. Paediatric nurse and child life specialist, Cindy Pilchuk, explores how a child’s brain responds to stress and emotional overwhelm, what their stress behaviour may be trying to say, and how parents and caregivers can help children cope better.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Mother-Child-Tantrums3.jpg350750Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-11-10 08:00:422025-11-10 08:04:09Your Child is Not Misbehaving: How Stress Affects Behaviour
Do you know the difference between lazy eye and squint, or an ocular oncologist and a paediatric oncologist? Do you know when extraocular Rb becomes metastatic, or why trilateral Rb is neither of these? In Part 1 of a mini-series, WE C Hope CEO Abby White explains these and other terms, and why using them correctly is important.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Esotropia1.jpg496550Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-10-27 08:00:422025-10-27 08:04:2018 Commonly Confused Retinoblastoma Terms, What They Mean and Why Getting Them Right Matters.
Children with cancer experience invasive procedures and stressful events throughout their medical care that can impact their ability to cope, inhibit their development and negatively affect their health and well-being throughout life. Child life supports effective healthcare and reduces trauma. Morgan Livingstone CCLS describes how WE C Hope is bringing hope through Child Life to children and their families in Africa.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Liz-doing-medical-play-last-day-in-Eldoret-2014-scaled.jpg25601920Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-10-13 08:00:342025-10-13 08:04:26Child Life in Kenya: The Sally Test Child Life Program
Google, AI, 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, engaged parent advocate in the modern hyper-connected age.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Examining-Ruby-Eyes.jpg22503372Kristen Smallhttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgKristen Small2025-09-29 08:00:252025-09-29 08:09:20The Informed Parent: 6 Tips for Staying Up to Date in a Social Media World
On March 10, 2019, our beloved child life specialist Jayne Kamau died aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 as she returned home from SIOPAfrica in Cairo. WE C Hope Child Life Director, Morgan Livingstone, reflects on more than a decade of mentoring, friendship and working together to advance child life in Kenya. Co-authored with WE C Hope CEO, Abby White.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Jayne-with-oncology-patient-wearing-Magic-Yarn-princess-wigs.jpg18381769Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-09-15 08:00:492025-09-15 08:01:41Jayne Kamau, My Friend and Colleague
Why should we be concerned about childhood cancer awareness when it accounts for only 1-3% of all cancers? Surely its rarity means the impact on society and childhood deaths is low? Not True! Bilateral Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores the realities of childhood cancer, sharing personal experience, and insights from parents and fellow survivors,
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Gold-Ribbon-Hands.jpg960720Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-09-01 08:00:352025-09-01 08:06:36Are You Childhood Cancer Aware?
It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: How to Make Needle Procedures Kinder for Kids
Routine blood tests and immunizations often cause pain and fear. Retinoblastoma screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care involves countless needle procedures. It doesn’t have to hurt! Parents and professionals can bring comfort and calm to any needle procedure. Rb survivor and WE C Hope founder, Abby White; and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore practical, evidence-based ways to reduce needle pain and support healthy coping for babies and children.
7th SoCal Rb Family Day Grows a Resilient Community Where No One Faces Retinoblastoma Alone
In September 2025, 140 survivors, patients, family members, friends and medical professionals gathered at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the 7th Southern California Rb Family Day, sharing laughter, tears, and powerful solidarity. WE C Hope USA President and Founding Board Member, Marissa D. Gonzalez, reflects on this transformative day filled with love and light, and the hope and healing nurtured in community.
Play – The Key Ingredient to Pediatric Medical Care
Play is the language, university, and business of childhood. Medical play is a key part of child-focused health care, helping young patients learn, reduce fear, and take part in their care. Sophie Goldberg, child life intern and student of Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care, explores what medical play is, and how you can use it to empower your child through their medical experiences.
Friendships Through Retinoblastoma
A diagnosis of childhood cancer can leave parents feeling adrift and utterly alone. The friends who walk with them through their child’s medical care are often cherished lifelong, and from a central thread in their own healing. Megan Santos reflects on the many friendships formed before, during and after her daughter’s treatment for retinoblastoma.
Your Child is Not Misbehaving: How Stress Affects Behaviour
All children exhibit undesirable behaviour at times, particularly when they are stressed, but deliberate misbehaviour is rare. Paediatric nurse and child life specialist, Cindy Pilchuk, explores how a child’s brain responds to stress and emotional overwhelm, what their stress behaviour may be trying to say, and how parents and caregivers can help children cope better.
18 Commonly Confused Retinoblastoma Terms, What They Mean and Why Getting Them Right Matters.
Do you know the difference between lazy eye and squint, or an ocular oncologist and a paediatric oncologist? Do you know when extraocular Rb becomes metastatic, or why trilateral Rb is neither of these? In Part 1 of a mini-series, WE C Hope CEO Abby White explains these and other terms, and why using them correctly is important.
Child Life in Kenya: The Sally Test Child Life Program
Children with cancer experience invasive procedures and stressful events throughout their medical care that can impact their ability to cope, inhibit their development and negatively affect their health and well-being throughout life. Child life supports effective healthcare and reduces trauma. Morgan Livingstone CCLS describes how WE C Hope is bringing hope through Child Life to children and their families in Africa.
The Informed Parent: 6 Tips for Staying Up to Date in a Social Media World
Google, AI, 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, engaged parent advocate in the modern hyper-connected age.
Jayne Kamau, My Friend and Colleague
On March 10, 2019, our beloved child life specialist Jayne Kamau died aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 as she returned home from SIOPAfrica in Cairo. WE C Hope Child Life Director, Morgan Livingstone, reflects on more than a decade of mentoring, friendship and working together to advance child life in Kenya. Co-authored with WE C Hope CEO, Abby White.
Are You Childhood Cancer Aware?
Why should we be concerned about childhood cancer awareness when it accounts for only 1-3% of all cancers? Surely its rarity means the impact on society and childhood deaths is low? Not True! Bilateral Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores the realities of childhood cancer, sharing personal experience, and insights from parents and fellow survivors,