On the left of a large conference room, a speaker stands at a wooden podium, addressing the audience. David is a white man wearing a blue suit. Beside him, fellow panelists sit at a long table draped with a cloth bearing the One Rb World logo. A large screen displays key discussion points on Retinoblastoma Survivorship Care – bullet points are out of focus. The audience is seated at round tables with white tablecloths, attentively listening and watching both the panelists and screen. The room is decorated in dark wood paneling and large murals depicting natural landscapes.

Hawaii Says “ALOHA” to the 7th One Rb World Conference and Global Retinoblastoma Community

The shores of Waikiki Beach welcomed 175 guests to the 7th One Rb World conference this month, and more online, as Honolulu played host to this incredible meeting of retinoblastoma patients, survivors, families and medical professionals. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, and Conference Event Chair, reflects on the social gathering and Day One of the program in the first installment of this three-part conference review.

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A diverse group of children and adults pose together, smiling and relaxed, in a spacious hanger-like room. Directly behind them is a large, conical-shaped boilerplate capsule spacecraft, displaying the words "Apollo Missions". To the left is a small, white aircraft with a clear bubble canopy. To the right, a sizable rocket engine or booster is mounted high up so its intricate pipes and nozzles can be viewed from below. In the far background, part of a dark blue wall displays celestial bodies.

Mile High Moments at the Denver Retinoblastoma Family Weekend

Fifty retinoblastoma patients, survivors, and their family members joined World Eye Cancer Hope USA in February for three days of connection and fun in Colorado’s capital. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President and Founding Board Member or WE C Hope USA, shares highlights from the weekend, and why these gatherings are so important to our community.

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On a marine-blue background, large bold yellow-gold text reads "WE C Hope". The letter “P” in the word “hope” is formed by a bright gold ribbon – this is the central feature of the entire image. Below, smaller text reads "For every child, survivor, and family living with childhood eye cancer". The website wechope.org is included at the bottom in the smallest text.

Solidarity, Strength, and Synergy: The Gold Ribbon and the Global Fight Against Childhood Cancer

The gold ribbon is the unifying symbol of childhood cancer. Worldwide, it celebrates the victory of each life saved, honours the memory of every precious child lost, and shines with hope of cure for all children. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explains four key reasons we support the gold ribbon campaign, and shares new gold ribbon merch designs you can buy to support our retinoblastoma community.

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Beyond Retinoblastoma: Celebrating Cancer Survivorship; Advocating Lifelong Care

At seventeen months old, Marissa Gonzalez was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – the first turning point in her lifelong journey with this cancer syndrome.  Today, as President of WE C Hope USA, she celebrates 32 years free from eye cancer, and shares the latest chapter of her cancer survivorship story, with two appeals to all in our community.

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Three sets of eyes represent different ethnic groups, each labelled with their respective ethnicity. The “White” eyes show bright red reflex, the “Asian” eyes display a yellowish reflex, and the 'Black' eyes have a creamy-white reflex. These colours are visible in the pupils of the eyes.

The Arclight and Fundal Reflex Test: Shining the Light on Retinoblastoma

Screening children’s eyes with the Fundal “Red” Reflex is key to early detection of retinoblastoma, but until recently, it was difficult to deliver in many countries. Dr Andrew Blaikie, ophthalmologist and clinical lead for the Arclight Project at the University of St Andrews, describes the importance of this simple exam, and how the Arclight improves eye health access and outcomes for children with eye cancer around the world.

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Side-by-side photos of two young girls with a text overlay. On the left, a smiling Caucasian girl with wispy light brown hair, wearing a floral dress, holds a bouquet of daisies. She is outdoors, bathed in sunlight. On the right, a smiling African girl with short black hair relaxes on a colourful plaid sofa. She is wearing a pink top with a ruffled neckline, and rests her cheek on her hand. Across the top, in cursive script, text reads "Daisy Gave Rati Hope".

From One Child to One Rb World: Our Foundation Story

Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund (now World Eye Cancer Hope) evolved from the generosity of one family sharing hope with another at opposite ends of the earth, creating light within the darkness that retinoblastoma brought to their lives. Rb Survivor and Daisy Fund co-founder, Abby White, shares Rati’s story, and how her experience led to our hope-building work today.

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From One Child to One Rb World: WE C Hope for Retinoblastoma Care

In the first half of this article, we met Rati and Daisy, two young children with retinoblastoma who inspired the foundation of Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund in 2004. In part 2, Rb Survivor and Daisy Fund co-founder, Abby White, reflects on what happened after Rati died – our journey to World Eye Cancer Hope (WE C Hope), One Rb World, and advocacy for all children, survivors and families.

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A wide view of a grassy park with inflatable skee ball, obstacle course, and bounce house alongside giant versions of Connect 4 and Jenga. Next to the games are tables and chairs under white tents and a red picnic shelter. Guests of all ages are mingling throughout.

Fun in the So Cal Sun: 6th Annual Southern California Retinoblastoma Family Day

Childhood eye cancer and its lifelong impacts can be a lonely, overwhelming experience. Connecting with others who understand is a healing balm for many. On November 4th, nearly 100 young patients, survivors, family and friends gathered to celebrate and support the amazing Rb community in Southern California. Marissa D. Gonzalez, bilateral Rb survivor and WE C Hope USA President, shares highlights from another delightful Family Day.

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Investing in Hope: The Quest to Fund Retinoblastoma Research

Research funding is vital to improve retinoblastoma early diagnosis, life and sight-saving treatment, family support, survivor care, and cancer prevention. But securing the funds for rare cancer research is very tough, often demoralising for researchers and clinician-scientists. Three retinoblastoma researchers share their experience, and two organizations helping to drive Rb research forward invite you to help.

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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.

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