Close-up of a young African boy smiling broadly. He has short hair and wears a blue tank top. The background is blurred with warm, earthy tones. Overlaying text reads: A photo can identify cancer in a child’s eye. Below a horizontal golden line is the gold KNOW THE GLOW® logo and the text PREVENT CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS. In the bottom right corner are the Kenyan flag and crests of the government and Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

Pearls of Light: The Pathway to Retinoblastoma Early Detection

Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma saves children’s lives, and offers the best opportunity for safe vision saving therapy. But worldwide, many children are diagnosed late. KnowTheGlow founder, Megan Webber, and WE C Hope USA President, Marissa D. Gonzalez discuss how our early detection partnership evolved, and update on the progress we’re making for children in Africa and Asia.

A large, diverse group of people pose together in a conference room. Most are dressed in smart casual attire. Many are smiling and waving at the camera, and those in the centre are holding a large banner that reads "One Retinoblastoma World". A large world map features on the wall behind the group. At the front, two ladies sit close together holding a plush elephant with removable eye between them. The elephant is bedecked in red, white and blue flowers.

Laulima: Many Hands, One Retinoblastoma World

Laulima signifies the power of cooperation, teamwork and collective effort.  This Hawaiian concept of many hands striving together drives the One Rb World conference, taking place in Honolulu this October.  Members of our 2024 conference team explain how laulima inspires their work for this global community, united to advance retinoblastoma care for all.

Three young girls sit one behind the other as they enjoy riding together down a slide. The girl at the back has curly brown hair and wears a light pink sweater. The middle girl has blonde hair and wears a light purple shirt. The girl in front has light brown hair, wears a pink top, and holds a plaid cushion. They are surrounded by green foliage and trees in the background. The sun creates halos around their hair as it blows with their movement down the slide, and blue sky is seen in the top right corner, beyond the trees..

Bridging the Gaps: How Community and Shared Responsibility Create the Best Retinoblastoma Care

Being the parent of a child with retinoblastoma, or living with the effects of this cancer every day, can be a frustrating experience. With an emphasis on our year-long theme of early diagnosis, we look at some of the challenges facing our retinoblastoma world, and for each, three ways we can work together to advance care for everyone.

A young African boy with short, curly black hair and a big, cheerful smile looks directly at the camera. He's wearing a cosy knitted blue sweater over a white collared shirt, and His right arm is flexed in a gesture of strength. The pupil of his right eye has a prominent pearly glow. Overlaying the wooden fence background, bold white text states "NO CHILD SHOULD DIE FROM UNDETECTED EYE CANCER." Below is a horizontal golden line. In the bottom left corner, the gold "KNOW THE GLOW®" logo is followed by the text "PREVENT CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS" in a smaller font. In the bottom right corner are the Kenyan flag and crests of the government and Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

Between Shadow and Light: Young Lives in Jeopardy from Retinoblastoma

Worldwide, children and their families grapple with life-threatening eye cancer due to delayed diagnosis and care. Unchecked, retinoblastoma has far-reaching consequences. Through two family stories, WE C Hope CEO Abby White explores the impacts of low awareness, slow referral, and delayed care, and the life-saving, sight-saving opportunities they reveal.

Close up of a smiling, playful young African boy with a shaved head, who appears to be leaning against a tree. He has big, bright, happy eyes, one of which has a creamy glow in the pupil. He is wearing a light blue sweater. Across the blurred background, bold white text reads "HELP IDENTIFY CHILDHOOD EYE CANCER EARLY".

A Glint or a Squint Could Be Your Hint: Knowledge is Key to Retinoblastoma Early Diagnosis

Critical clues to a child’s eye cancer hide in plain sight. Parent and physician knowledge, and ability to spot these silent signs are vital to early detection, swift referral, and prompt diagnosis. Meet five children from around the world whose parents’ curiosity, nagging concern, and action were pivotal to their diagnosis and life-saving, sight-saving care.

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.

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.

Marissa wears a pistachio green sundress and smiles broadly. The background is a beach scene with blue ocean under a clear sky and people sitting in chairs under deep blue parasols.NYT Pic

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.

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.

Two women are seated at a round table in a conference room, directly facing each other as they engage in deep discussion. The woman on the left clasps her hands on her lap and looks highly focused. The woman on the right gesticulates with both hands raised to chest level, palms facing towards the other woman, with her fingers splayed. She appears to be explaining or emphasizing a point, or trying to convey information clearly. A tablet and notepad rest on the table between the two ladies.

Capture the Moment at One Retinoblastoma World 2024 in Hawaii

One Retinoblastoma World is community, conversation and collaboration for the best lifelong Rb care and support.  Previous participants share why the event is so valuable.  Rb survivor and WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, considers the many benefits of participating in person compared to attending online, and some ways we can travel “kuleana” to the conference.