A cream deconrated stone lays on a bed of grey stones. The word “Breathe” is written across the stone in flowing black script, accented with white dots. The portion of stone below the word is decorated with waves and water droplets in light, mid and dark blue, and mid green. They are all outlined in a series of tiny white dots.

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 table is covered with a large sheet of white paper featuring hand-drawn, decorative letters spelling out the words: One Retinoblastoma World 2024. The words are outlined in various colours and patterns, and the letters are intricately designed with stripes, flowers, polka dots, and googly eyes. On the table, a container holds colorful markers; sheets of stickers featuring tropical and fun designs, such as flowers, palm trees, animals, and beach items; large, playful googly eyes; hand-drawn outlines of children’s hands.

One Rb World 2024 Says “Mahalo” to the Retinoblastoma Community – Day Three | Page 4

The final moments of the 7th One Rb World Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, were dedicated to patients, families, and survivors, showcasing how empowering them can transform their individual experience and collective progress. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, and Conference Event Chair, tells of the inspiring child life programming, and groundbreaking patient engaged-research building bridges of hope and healing for our retinoblastoma community worldwide.

Pamela Paul stands at a light wooden podium against a black background. She wears a blue dress patterned with yellow, pink, and orange flowers.

Storytelling for Life: Global Solutions and Lifelong Care at One Rb World 2024 Day Three | Page 3

As the 7th One Rb World Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, reached its final hours, personal insights and global initiatives took center stage. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, and Conference Event Chair, reflects on the collective mission to save lives, including The New York Times Opinion feature, “It Takes a Lifetime to Survive Childhood Cancer,” – and the story behind the article.

A collage of 8 small photos, showing buildings and people doing various activities, all bathed in green, pink, blue or purple light. Along the bottom, a banner reads "RARE DISEASE DAY GLOBAL CHAIN OF LIGHTS" and “hashtag LIGHT UP FOR RARE", written in blue, green and pink. The event logo features handprints in the three colours, overlapping to form a fan around a white silhouette of a person from waist-up, and additional colours where they overlap.

Light Up for Rare and Share Your Retinoblastoma Colours on February 29!

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer, affecting around 1 in 16,000 live births.  Rarity poses challenges from pre-diagnosis through treatment and lifelong care – Rare Disease Day matters to our community!  Discover how you can glow bright on the evening of February 29 to help form a Global Chain of Light for everyone living with rare childhood eye cancer and its effects.

a baby chews an anaesthetic mask

Retinoblastoma Treatment at One Rb World

Prompt, appropriate medical care is vital for all children with retinoblastoma. A range of treatments are used depending on extent of the cancer, its risk of spread, and the child’s health and wellbeing. Sessions at every One Rb World explore aspects of medical care, and how we can ensure the best possible outcomes for each child. Below, we share sessions from the 2017, 2020, and 2021 meetings.

Dan Gombos presents on the challenges of obtaining effective care for the adult with distant history of Rb. The slide behind him is titled “When It’s Time For Change” and reads: Once cured – the team may change; Few transition to a survivorship clinic; Even less to a survivorship clinic with Rb experience; Some children are never told of their diagnosis; Children grow up, move, and may live very far from any Rb specialists.

Retinoblastoma Survivorship at One Rb World

Retinoblastoma is a complex cancer with potentially significant and serious lifelong impacts for the survivor and all family members. Sessions at every One Rb World explore the risks and challenges survivors and families encounter beyond childhood eye cancer, and how we can improve comprehensive survivorship care throughout life. Below, we share sessions from the 2017, 2020, and 2021 meetings.

A photo montage of three children with white pupil glow and turned eye early signs of retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma Awareness, Screening and Early Detection at One Rb World

Retinoblastoma awareness is the vital first step to cure! Early diagnosis leads to less intense treatment and better outcomes for children and their families. Sessions at every One Rb World explore how we can best raise parent, public and medical community awareness of common first signs, and develop effective screening for early detection.  Abby White gathers together sessions from the 2017, 2020, and 2021 meetings.

An ethnically diverse group of people sit together around a table, moving puzzle pieces. The photo is taken from above, and only the hands of the participants are visible.

Retinoblastoma Research: Types, Challenges, Opportunities

Retinoblastoma research is vital to understand how this cancer behaves; treatment benefits, side effects, and risks; and impacts throughout life.  Findings help guide medical and supportive care for the child patient, survivor, and family.  Rb Survivor, Abby White explores different types of medical research; their goals, benefits, and limitations; and opportunities to overcome the current challenges.

Close up image of a single red bauble hanging from the branch of fir tree. The bauble captures various light and shadows, including one point of bright white. The overall impression is similar to the white reflex captured within a red eye reflex in the early stages of retinoblastoma.

10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Hospital

Being in hospital during the Holidays means children and parents cannot join the usual festivities. But you can bring festive spirit and familiar traditions into your hospital space to delight and sustain you all. While cancer has no regard for Christmas, Rb Survivor, Abby White shares 10 ways to support your emotional wellbeing, and your child’s, and welcome festive cheer during a yuletide inpatient admission.

A group of attentive children sit around a large board game made from a round table cloth, laid out on the floor. The colourful hand-drawn game board includes various sections with text and pictures. One young girl kneels with her body stretched out across the board as she takes her turn adding content to the design as the other children look on.

Child Life Specialists in Schools: Supporting Children With Cancer

Children need a lot of support when they begin or return to school after treatment for cancer.  Child Life Specialist and Elementary School Teacher, Meagan Fuller, explores how child life specialists in schools can help children with retinoblastoma adjust to school life, understand their experience, and find healthy ways to talk with peers about their cancer and visual impairment.