Eleni stands on a waterside path. A little distance behid her, a fountain shoots a tall jet of water high into the air.

Life After Enucleation: 8 Retinoblastoma Survivors Share Hope

Despite advances in eye saving therapy for retinoblastoma, removing a child’s eye remains the most common treatment worldwide. Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, shares her perspective of life after enucleation, and experiences from seven fellow survivors, offering hope to parents facing the reality of enucleation.

Enucleation, Life and Support: A Parent and Survivor Perspective

When a child has retinoblastoma, removing the affected eye remains the most common treatment worldwide to save life. Support is vital throughout treatment and long after. Lori and Grace Padilla share the perspective of a parent and a young adult survivor, their thoughts on enucleation, and the benefits of in-person support groups.

A boy wearing a hospital gown lies in hospital bed. He is attached to many monitors and tubes, smiling and giving a thumbs up.

10 Things Parents Want You to Know About Retinoblastoma

Caring for a child with retinoblastoma and healthy siblings is a complex journey for parents, from before diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond. Rb Mom and WE C Hope USA director, Lori Banos, shares 10 key messages parents have for health care professionals, fellow parents and the wider community.

A woman wearing a harness stands on a ship high above the waves. The setting sun and sail ropes are visible behind her.

10 Things Retinoblastoma Survivors Want You To Know

Retinoblastoma is highly curable. But for many survivors, it has lifelong impacts. In 2019, our Alphabet of Hope shared survivor insights of #LifeBeyondRb. Rb Survivor and 2019 alphabet curator, Abby White, highlights 10 important messages from survivors about life beyond treatment and cure of childhood eye cancer.

Quarter view of a compass. Its gold pin points to the word SURVIVORSHIP arcing around the edge of the compass.

7 Survivorship Tips and Tricks: navigating the adult post-retinoblastoma world

Diagnosis and treatment of eye cancer in early childhood is only the start of a lifelong story for many individuals affected by retinoblastoma. Marissa Gonzalez, Rb survivor and President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, shares seven tips for being an active participant in your retinoblastoma survivorship journey.

A young girl with blond hair and wearing a Minnie mouse dress is standing on a small round trampoline, holding on to the arched handle. She has a white pupil glow in one eye, and her other eye is turned outwards.

If You Tell Them, They Will Know: raising awareness of retinoblastoma signs can save lives, eyes and sight.

Strabismus (turned eye) and leukocoria (white pupil) are the most common early signs of retinoblastoma.  Sandra Staffieri, Rb Care Co-ordinator at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, explores why parent and healthcare provider awareness of these signs is vital to early diagnosis of childhood eye cancer.

A child life specialist blows bubbles through an anesthesia mask towards a little girl

Child Life in Retinoblastoma Care

Child life can profoundly impact a child’s experience of retinoblastoma, and their quality of life. However, many children treated at specialist retinoblastoma centres lack child life support, and their parents feel unsupported, compared with other cancer patients. Abby White explores the challenges and ways to overcome them.

A bald toddler sits on her mother’s lap during a port access procedure. Her back rests against her mother’s chest, and her head is turned up and back towards her mother, who is leaning down in conversation. Both mother and child are white. The nurse accessing the port is seen from behind and has fair hair.

Questions About COVID-19 and Retinoblastoma

People around the world are feeling anxious about the coronavirus pandemic. We understand the concern is especially acute for parents of children with retinoblastoma, and survivors who have chronic health conditions and second cancer diagnosis. Here we answer questions we have received about the virus.

A young girl smiles broadly as she holds her arm out, thumb up.

International Care: Challenges and Opportunities

Families and medical professionals worldwide seek retinoblastoma care at centres offering treatments that are unavailable in their home country. Many families contact WE C Hope for assistance before, during or after such treatment. Abby White explores the challenges they experience and what can be done to help improve outcomes for their children.

A young girl and her father share a smile

Perfect Vision: Care and Cure for Children with Eye Cancer in Developing Countries

Retinoblastoma is highly curable with early diagnosis and modern therapies. But 90% of affected children live in developing countries, and globally, less than 3 in 10 children survive. Rb survivor and volunteer CEO, Abby White, explores the biggest challenges to care in developing countries, and some ways to overcome them.