The land of 100,000 welcomes warmly greeted our global childhood eye cancer community in October. Dublin enthusiastically hosted One Retinoblastoma World 2016, before the world congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology. A meeting of highly committed doctors, parents, survivors, researchers and advocates from six continents, focused on best care for everyone affected by retinoblastoma.
There’s a new RAE of Hope in the retinoblastoma world this September as we shine the light on childhood eye cancer. Thomas Reid is a survivor, father of a survivor and a Director of WE C Hope USA. The entire Reid Family dedicates Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to Raising Awareness and Empowerment as they help children, adult survivors and their families share their experience of retinoblastoma and how it has shaped their lives. Watch the RAE of Hope videos and be inspired.
The retinoblastoma world lost a dedicated physician and friend on Friday, July 22nd. Dr Barrett Haik was a highly skilled ophthalmic surgeon, researcher, educator, mentor and fundraiser who cared deeply for the children, adults and families he treated. He led development of the ophthalmic oncology service at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and supported international outreach that has improved the lives of thousands of children with retinoblastoma across the USA and around the world.
Today we celebrate Rati, the beautiful, bright, bubbly butterfly who came so briefly into our lives, changed us all so dramatically and inspired the foundation of WE C Hope. Ultimately, expert care came too late and we could not save her life. Rati had plans of her own though. She taught us to see and hear and understand the needs of families like her own, and she challenged us to do something to help change their experience of retinoblastoma.
In early 2013, treatment was cancelled without warning for several Arizona children receiving care at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. No alternative plans were offered for essential life / sight saving therapy. The families approached Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund for help. Read on to find out how we worked on their behalf to protect the children’s access to high quality on-going care.
11 years ago, a new baby girl was born in Botswana. Four short years later, retinoblastoma claimed her life. Her name means love, and today, her legacy continues to build hope for other children around the world.
The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat, often requiring less intense therapy and fewer invasive procedures that have lower cost physically, emotionally and financially. Awareness of childhood cancer is key to achieving early diagnosis, saving lives and limiting the burden of cancer treatment on the child, family and wider society.
