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
Child life helps families cope with retinoblastoma care, reducing trauma, and building hope. Yet access remains limited worldwide. March is Child Life Month and the birthday of our beloved Rati, whose brief life inspired World Eye Cancer Hope. From her care in Canada to Kenya, One Rb World and beyond, WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores how child life became central to our mission.
Medical procedures can be stressful for children, often leading to fear, resistance, and lasting anxiety. Comfort Positions offer a simple and powerful way to ease distress, ensuring a safer, more supportive experience for children, caregivers, and medical teams. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore how comfort positioning transforms medical care, fostering trust, cooperation, and emotional well-being.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IMG_2046.jpg6831024Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-03-03 08:00:502025-02-14 23:19:26Comfort Positions: How to Help Children Feel Safe and Supported During Medical Procedures
Early Diagnosis is the foundation of effective retinoblastoma and second cancer care. Yet, many families and survivors around the world face complex, delayed diagnostic journeys. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, reflects on the 2024 #RbEarlyDiagnosis campaign, exploring key themes, family and medical perspectives, global collaborations, and the progress our One Rb World community is making toward faster access to life-saving care.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Extra-2-KTG-poster.jpg10801080Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-02-15 08:00:092025-02-22 23:09:20Breaking Barriers to Early Diagnosis: Revisit a Year of Action
When we are anxious or angry, we tense up and hold our breath, or breathe fast and shallow, further increasing stress. Slow, deep breathing almost instantly diffuses tension, helping us feel calm, clear-headed and in control. Abby White explores why our bodies react this way, and how we can use our breath to restore calm fast.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Breathe-Decorated-Stone-scaled.jpg19212560Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-02-03 08:00:092025-02-03 08:03:53Breathing for Wellness: Why Breath Matters, and 9 Ways to Breathe Out Stress
Can the language we use impact patient well-being, conduct of research and care? WE C Hope CEO and retinoblastoma survivor, Abby White, explores the effect of scientists, doctors and reporters referring to retinoblastoma patients as “cases” rather than children, and how our One Rb World community helps create a foundation of care that nurtures complete well-being.
https://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Elmo2.jpg281318Abby Whitehttps://wechope.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/WeCH-Logo-web2.jpgAbby White2025-01-20 08:00:162025-01-23 13:47:53A Child With Cancer Is Much More Than A “Case”: Why Words Matter in Retinoblastoma Care and Awareness
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.
WE C Hope and Child Life: Bridging Gaps, Easing Trauma, Building Hope
Child life helps families cope with retinoblastoma care, reducing trauma, and building hope. Yet access remains limited worldwide. March is Child Life Month and the birthday of our beloved Rati, whose brief life inspired World Eye Cancer Hope. From her care in Canada to Kenya, One Rb World and beyond, WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores how child life became central to our mission.
Comfort Positions: How to Help Children Feel Safe and Supported During Medical Procedures
Medical procedures can be stressful for children, often leading to fear, resistance, and lasting anxiety. Comfort Positions offer a simple and powerful way to ease distress, ensuring a safer, more supportive experience for children, caregivers, and medical teams. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, and Child Life Specialist, Morgan Livingstone, explore how comfort positioning transforms medical care, fostering trust, cooperation, and emotional well-being.
Breaking Barriers to Early Diagnosis: Revisit a Year of Action
Early Diagnosis is the foundation of effective retinoblastoma and second cancer care. Yet, many families and survivors around the world face complex, delayed diagnostic journeys. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, reflects on the 2024 #RbEarlyDiagnosis campaign, exploring key themes, family and medical perspectives, global collaborations, and the progress our One Rb World community is making toward faster access to life-saving care.
Breathing for Wellness: Why Breath Matters, and 9 Ways to Breathe Out Stress
When we are anxious or angry, we tense up and hold our breath, or breathe fast and shallow, further increasing stress. Slow, deep breathing almost instantly diffuses tension, helping us feel calm, clear-headed and in control. Abby White explores why our bodies react this way, and how we can use our breath to restore calm fast.
A Child With Cancer Is Much More Than A “Case”: Why Words Matter in Retinoblastoma Care and Awareness
Can the language we use impact patient well-being, conduct of research and care? WE C Hope CEO and retinoblastoma survivor, Abby White, explores the effect of scientists, doctors and reporters referring to retinoblastoma patients as “cases” rather than children, and how our One Rb World community helps create a foundation of care that nurtures complete well-being.