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 lantern with heart-shaped window casts a large rosy heart glow on a blue painted wooden wall, and a pool of light across the floor where it sits.

Bound by Love, Unbound by Cancer: Retinoblastoma through the Lens of Relationships

Retinoblastoma can have a profound impact on family relationships, during diagnosis and treatment, and throughout life. Linda Conyard MGestT delves into the factors affecting relationships, and the best ways to support families. She also explores attachment theory, and how it can help us understand family dynamics when a child has a risk for, or diagnosis of, childhood eye cancer.

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.

Multicentre Research Collaboration: the Challenge and the Light

Multicentre research is complex.  Challenges can arise in the process of bringing its  many benefits to patients, families and professionals. In part 2/2 of this article, Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores common challenges, with solutions for each, and how our childhood cancer community encourages healthy, successful collaborations.

Drawing of a distressed looking woman in a blue shirt with one hand in front of her face and the other held up beside her head, fingers splayed. The background of cyan blue circles, swirls and clouds has a tangle of thin circles and stars surrounding her head, indicating that she is distressed or confused.

Beyond Stress: PTSD Symptoms, Resources, Strategies and More

Retinoblastoma is highly stressful for most patients and their families.  Too often, it is a traumatic life experience that has long term impacts on mental health.  Jules Verdugo, child life & pediatric psychosocial care student, looks at the difference between normal stress reactions and PTSD, symptoms, how to get help, resources, some strategies for managing symptoms, and post traumatic growth.

10 different people’s arms reach inwards to clasp hands at the centre. They represent different races, and their sleeves are brightly coloured.

Multicentre Research Collaborations for Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer, posing major challenges to researchers everywhere. In part 1/2 of this article, Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores the many ways multicentre research collaboration can overcome these challenges and change patient care and outcomes – for the child, survivor, family and professional.

A woman sits alone on a bench under a sprawling weeping willow tree in a park. She is facing away from the camera.

Retinoblastoma Survivors’ Perspectives on Long-Term Follow up Care

Many retinoblastoma survivors live with significant long term treatment impacts and second cancer risks. Yet most children, adult survivors and their families struggle to access appropriate ongoing care. Len Burns, a totally blind bilateral Rb survivor and licensed family therapist, highlights the most common survivor concerns, and potential ways to improve long term care and quality of life.

All the guests smile during a group photo at the Kennedy Center. They are standing beneath a giant photograph of John F. Kennedy.

Retinoblastoma in D.C. Part 2: A Capital Weekend of Memory-Making and Community Building.

The fun continued throughout the Mid-Atlantic Retinoblastoma Family Weekend in early March 2023. In the second half of our weekend recap, our families take on rock climbing, explore the Kennedy Center, and continue to form vital friendships. Bilateral Rb survivor, WE C Hope USA President and Founding Board Member, Marissa D. Gonzalez, shares more highlights from this eventful and emotional weekend.

Families smile while standing in front of the White House gates, bundled up in warm clothes.

Retinoblastoma in D.C. Partt 1: A Capital Weekend of Friendship, Community and Fun

Over the weekend of March 10 – 12, 2023, 80 retinoblastoma patients, survivors and families from across the US East Coast enjoyed monuments and landmarks around Washington D.C. while making new friends in the retinoblastoma community. Bilateral Rb survivor and WE C Hope USA President and Founding Board Member, Marissa D. Gonzalez, recaps this eventful and emotional weekend in this two-part blog.

A long roads winds through rough country of valleys and hills.

Retinoblastoma Follow Up Care: the Long and Winding Road

Retinoblastoma follow up care is vital for all children after treatment, and for many survivors throughout life. The end of cancer therapy brings both celebration and uncertainty. Knowing what to expect can help calm worries and empower strong advocates. Child Life Specialist Morgan Livingstone reviews what follow up care may involve, and tips to help families and adult survivors navigate this stage of medical care.

A diverse group of people sit around a table talking. The table is filled with papers and classes of water, and more people are seen working together around tables in the background..

Ethnography: A New Frontier in Retinoblastoma Research

Every child with retinoblastoma, parent, sibling, survivor, and medical professional has a story to tell of their journey through childhood eye cancer. Understanding our individual and collective experience empowers us to develop and deliver holistic care for all.  Rb survivor and WE C Hope USA Director, Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey discusses the growing field of ethnography research, and how it can positively impact our diverse global community.