A large group of people, diverse in age, ethnicity, and background, gather in a large conference room. Some sit at large round tables while others stand together in the back of the room. They are smiling and some offer hand gestures of strength, victory or peace.

7th SoCal Rb Family Day Grows a Resilient Community Where No One Faces Retinoblastoma Alone

In September 2025, 140 survivors, patients, family members, friends and medical professionals gathered at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the 7th Southern California Rb Family Day, sharing laughter, tears, and powerful solidarity. WE C Hope USA President and Founding Board Member, Marissa D. Gonzalez, reflects on this transformative day filled with love and light, and the hope and healing nurtured in community.

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Rowan and Harry sit at a table, chatting.

Friendships Through Retinoblastoma

A diagnosis of childhood cancer can leave parents feeling adrift and utterly alone. The friends who walk with them through their child’s medical care are often cherished lifelong, and from a central thread in their own healing. Megan Santos reflects on the many friendships formed before, during and after her daughter’s treatment for retinoblastoma.

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The Informed Parent: 6 Tips for Staying Up to Date in a Social Media World

Google, AI, and social media play an increasingly significant role in the lives of families affected by retinoblastoma, but without careful use, they can complicate a child’s medical care and even put life at risk. Dr. Jesse Berry shares her recommendations for being a safely informed, engaged parent advocate in the modern hyper-connected age.

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Children’s program volunteer, Bethany, sits crisscross on the floor and holds a green stuffed animal out to two children. Linden kneels and places eye drops in the stuffed animal’s eyes while Myra and Bethany smile and watch.

Our Retinoblastoma Community Shines in the Golden City

Childhood eye cancer and its lifelong impacts can overwhelm and isolate – connecting with others who understand is vital for healing. On May 3rd, 2025, 40 young patients, survivors, families and friends gathered to celebrate and support the amazing Rb community in Northern California. Bethany Folks, WE C Hope USA Executive Assistant and Event Volunteer, reflects on a wonderful afternoon with Rb families in the Bay Area.

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A group of about 20 children sit in several rows in a half-circle, each playing a colorful bongo drum. Several adults are interspersed among them, watching and helping. A lady at the front leads the whole group. Most of the children wear bright clothes, and some have light-up headbands, adding to the happy, festive atmosphere.

Retinoblastoma Family Days: Building Connection, Camaraderie, and Hope

When retinoblastoma changes everything, connection and understanding are vital. Family Days provide a soothing space for families and survivors to gather, share, and heal together. WE C Hope USA President, Marissa Gonzalez, and our blog curator, Abby White, explore how these special events foster community, joy, and hope across the retinoblastoma journey.

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Rati puts on surgical gloves while her mum, Salome, and child life specialist Morgan look on. Both Rati and Morgan are wearing surgical masks. A medical play doll and various medical equipment are laid out beside Rati.

WE C Hope and Child Life: Bridging Gaps, Easing Trauma, Building Hope

Child life helps families cope with retinoblastoma care, reducing trauma, and building hope. Yet access remains limited worldwide. March is Child Life Month and the birthday of our beloved Rati, whose brief life inspired World Eye Cancer Hope. From her care in Canada to Kenya, One Rb World and beyond, WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, explores how child life became central to our mission.

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KnowTheGlow awareness poster. Text reads “See it once, be alert – see it twice, be active”. Know the glow logo is in the bottom left corner. On the right, a child smiles at the camera and a white glow is visible in their right eye.

Breaking Barriers to Early Diagnosis: Revisit a Year of Action

Early Diagnosis is the foundation of effective retinoblastoma and second cancer care. Yet, many families and survivors around the world face complex, delayed diagnostic journeys. WE C Hope CEO, Abby White, reflects on the 2024 #RbEarlyDiagnosis campaign, exploring key themes, family and medical perspectives, global collaborations, and the progress our One Rb World community is making toward faster access to life-saving care.

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Two young girls and a boy sit smiling in front of a Christmas tree, all wearing pyjamas. One of the girls holds a baby girl who has a white glow in her left eye.

Angels and Zebras: How Life-Saving Holiday Pics Reveal Children’s Rare Eye Cancer

Happy Holidays from World Eye Cancer Hope! We love a white Christmas and the season’s festive glow – angels, fairy lights, iced cakes, candles, and snow… But we do not like a white glow in children’s eyes. Rb Survivor and WE C Hope CEO Abby White explains how festive Holiday photos could save a child’s life, and even their sight.

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A table is covered with a large sheet of white paper featuring hand-drawn, decorative letters spelling out the words: One Retinoblastoma World 2024. The words are outlined in various colours and patterns, and the letters are intricately designed with stripes, flowers, polka dots, and googly eyes. On the table, a container holds colorful markers; sheets of stickers featuring tropical and fun designs, such as flowers, palm trees, animals, and beach items; large, playful googly eyes; hand-drawn outlines of children’s hands.

One Rb World 2024 Says “Mahalo” to the Retinoblastoma Community – Day Three | Page 4

The final moments of the 7th One Rb World Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, were dedicated to patients, families, and survivors, showcasing how empowering them can transform their individual experience and collective progress. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, and Conference Event Chair, tells of the inspiring child life programming, and groundbreaking patient engaged-research building bridges of hope and healing for our retinoblastoma community worldwide.

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Pamela Paul stands at a light wooden podium against a black background. She wears a blue dress patterned with yellow, pink, and orange flowers.

Storytelling for Life: Global Solutions and Lifelong Care at One Rb World 2024 Day Three | Page 3

As the 7th One Rb World Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, reached its final hours, personal insights and global initiatives took center stage. Marissa D. Gonzalez, President of World Eye Cancer Hope USA, and Conference Event Chair, reflects on the collective mission to save lives, including The New York Times Opinion feature, “It Takes a Lifetime to Survive Childhood Cancer,” – and the story behind the article.

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