Childhood eye cancer and its lifelong impacts can overwhelm and isolate – connecting with others who understand is vital for healing. On May 3rd, 2025, 40 young patients, survivors, families and friends gathered to celebrate and support the amazing Rb community in Northern California. Bethany Folks, WE C Hope USA Executive Assistant and Event Volunteer, reflects on a wonderful afternoon with Rb families in the Bay Area.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/7.-Linden-Myra-do-Eyedrops-with-Bethany.jpg16002400Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-08-04 08:00:012025-08-04 18:33:57Our Retinoblastoma Community Shines in the Golden City
Parenting children through retinoblastoma is tough. Being their chief advocate is one of your most important roles throughout their cancer experience. Rb Survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, discusses why parents and caregivers should advocate for child life support, how to ask for child life services, and how to work effectively with child life professionals for the best outcomes.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Comfort-Massage-Building-Trust-052-scaled.jpg19202560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-07-21 08:00:282025-07-21 08:01:22How to Advocate for Child Life Support in Your Child’s Medical Care
Talking about a child’s cancer with family and friends can be deeply cathartic for parents one day, and utterly exhausting the next. Asking for and receiving help can be a minefield too. Morgan Livingstone CCLS explores why this is so, and offers tips and tools to reduce stress, improve coping and boost effective practical support.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Whole-Family-Affected.png420668Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-07-07 08:00:302025-07-07 08:03:17Talking About Your Child’s Cancer Diagnosis With Family and Friends
Hot weather and changing holiday routines – summer can be unsettling for babies and young children. Add retinoblastoma to the mix, and achieving good sleep at this time of year can be very hard for affected children and siblings. Morgan Livingstone CCLS explains how infant massage can help, offering specific practical ways to improve sleep during sultry summer months, whether or not a child is receiving cancer care.
Childhood cancer care is often a long and winding road for the entire family, with many successes and setbacks, triumph, despair, and new hope. WE C Hope Director, Lori Baños, creator and moderator of the Facebook group Rb Moms, reflects on the wild rollercoaster ride when a child is diagnosed with eye cancer. With contributions from group members.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rb-Rollercoaster-Mom-AI-gen.png10241536Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-06-09 08:00:572025-06-22 12:53:20The Retinoblastoma Rollercoaster: A Journey Through the Eyes of Rb Moms
When retinoblastoma changes everything, connection and understanding are vital. Family Days provide a soothing space for families and survivors to gather, share, and heal together. WE C Hope USA President, Marissa Gonzalez, and our blog curator, Abby White, explore how these special events foster community, joy, and hope across the retinoblastoma journey.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Swallow-Hill-Kids-Drums.JPG-scaled.jpg19202560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-05-26 08:00:572025-05-15 12:02:24Retinoblastoma Family Days: Building Connection, Camaraderie, and Hope
Most children in low- and middle-income countries face hospitalization without the vital psychosocial support they need. WE C Hope’s Certified Child Life Specialist Morgan Livingstone shares how sustainable child life programs are transforming paediatric care in under-resourced settings. She explores the power of partnership, training, and local leadership in building sustainable child life services that meet unique community needs.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/patient-medical-play-prep-book.jpg1280960Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-05-12 08:00:572025-05-08 14:20:46Transforming Paediatric Care: Child life in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Examinations Under Anaesthetic (EUA) are an essential part of retinoblastoma diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance follow up care. Combining content from our Child Life Resource, Morgan Livingstone CCLS CIMI MA reviews 10 ways parents can support children of all ages through the experience to benefit everyone’s wellbeing.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/CRRAB-jan-2019-156.jpg40323024Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-04-28 08:00:072025-04-30 20:01:0010 Ways to Support Your Child Through EUA for Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma genetics are complex. Their implications for medical care can be confusing for families and professionals alike. For World DNA Day, Rb survivor and WE C Hope co-founder / CEO, Abby White, considers the central importance of DNA and genetic knowledge in caring for the child and family, during treatment and throughout life.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Tree-of-Life.jpg600600Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-04-14 08:00:072025-04-14 08:00:10How DNA and Genetic Knowledge Changes Lives: the impact of genetic testing for five families affected by retinoblastoma
Medical care can be overwhelming for children and their family, causing fear and distress. Without support, these experiences can escalate into medical trauma. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore how simple distraction tools reduce anxiety, increase cooperation, and empower both children and caregivers to be calm, confident participants, even in complex medical care.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bubbles-Distraction-scaled.jpeg19202560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-03-31 08:00:572025-03-19 18:29:29Distraction in Action: How to Build Kids’ Confidence and Comfort in Medical Care
Our Retinoblastoma Community Shines in the Golden City
Childhood eye cancer and its lifelong impacts can overwhelm and isolate – connecting with others who understand is vital for healing. On May 3rd, 2025, 40 young patients, survivors, families and friends gathered to celebrate and support the amazing Rb community in Northern California. Bethany Folks, WE C Hope USA Executive Assistant and Event Volunteer, reflects on a wonderful afternoon with Rb families in the Bay Area.
How to Advocate for Child Life Support in Your Child’s Medical Care
Parenting children through retinoblastoma is tough. Being their chief advocate is one of your most important roles throughout their cancer experience. Rb Survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, discusses why parents and caregivers should advocate for child life support, how to ask for child life services, and how to work effectively with child life professionals for the best outcomes.
Talking About Your Child’s Cancer Diagnosis With Family and Friends
Talking about a child’s cancer with family and friends can be deeply cathartic for parents one day, and utterly exhausting the next. Asking for and receiving help can be a minefield too. Morgan Livingstone CCLS explores why this is so, and offers tips and tools to reduce stress, improve coping and boost effective practical support.
7 Infant Massage Tips for Improved Summer Sleep
Hot weather and changing holiday routines – summer can be unsettling for babies and young children. Add retinoblastoma to the mix, and achieving good sleep at this time of year can be very hard for affected children and siblings. Morgan Livingstone CCLS explains how infant massage can help, offering specific practical ways to improve sleep during sultry summer months, whether or not a child is receiving cancer care.
The Retinoblastoma Rollercoaster: A Journey Through the Eyes of Rb Moms
Childhood cancer care is often a long and winding road for the entire family, with many successes and setbacks, triumph, despair, and new hope. WE C Hope Director, Lori Baños, creator and moderator of the Facebook group Rb Moms, reflects on the wild rollercoaster ride when a child is diagnosed with eye cancer. With contributions from group members.
Retinoblastoma Family Days: Building Connection, Camaraderie, and Hope
When retinoblastoma changes everything, connection and understanding are vital. Family Days provide a soothing space for families and survivors to gather, share, and heal together. WE C Hope USA President, Marissa Gonzalez, and our blog curator, Abby White, explore how these special events foster community, joy, and hope across the retinoblastoma journey.
Transforming Paediatric Care: Child life in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Most children in low- and middle-income countries face hospitalization without the vital psychosocial support they need. WE C Hope’s Certified Child Life Specialist Morgan Livingstone shares how sustainable child life programs are transforming paediatric care in under-resourced settings. She explores the power of partnership, training, and local leadership in building sustainable child life services that meet unique community needs.
10 Ways to Support Your Child Through EUA for Retinoblastoma
Examinations Under Anaesthetic (EUA) are an essential part of retinoblastoma diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance follow up care. Combining content from our Child Life Resource, Morgan Livingstone CCLS CIMI MA reviews 10 ways parents can support children of all ages through the experience to benefit everyone’s wellbeing.
How DNA and Genetic Knowledge Changes Lives: the impact of genetic testing for five families affected by retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma genetics are complex. Their implications for medical care can be confusing for families and professionals alike. For World DNA Day, Rb survivor and WE C Hope co-founder / CEO, Abby White, considers the central importance of DNA and genetic knowledge in caring for the child and family, during treatment and throughout life.
Distraction in Action: How to Build Kids’ Confidence and Comfort in Medical Care
Medical care can be overwhelming for children and their family, causing fear and distress. Without support, these experiences can escalate into medical trauma. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore how simple distraction tools reduce anxiety, increase cooperation, and empower both children and caregivers to be calm, confident participants, even in complex medical care.