Give Back In September with Kendra Scott


Monday August 17, 2020


Our first virtual family event was a great success, with added sparkle from Kendra Scott jewelry. Please help us support more families by shopping at KendraScott.com on Sat 12 – Sun 13 September. They’ll donate to WE C Hope 20% of sales made using code GIVEBACK8400. Shine gold this September Childhood Cancer Month.

A yellow Kendra Scott jewelry box with a white ribbon sits on a turquoise blue cloth with an assortment of jeweled earrings, pendents and bracelets.

Photo Credit: Sparkling Southerner


Kendra Scott Adds Sparkle to Virtual California Family Day

By Marissa Gonzalez, WE C Hope USA President.

WE C Hope USA’s 3rd Annual Southern California Family Day went virtual on Saturday, August 1, 2020, welcoming families from across the state. Meeting via video conference due to COVID19, the event incorporated two informative presentations, networking time and child life programming. Families reconnected with each other and welcomed others from all over California, as well as a family in India.

And our first virtual family event sparkled even more brightly with several donations from national jewelry retailer Kendra Scott, which we raffled between activities.

The day glowed especially gold for Heather Fox, whose daughter, Helena, is a young retinoblastoma survivor.  Even though Heather and Helena were driving home from Palm Springs with Heather’s mother, they were able to join this year’s Family Day because of the virtual event.

“I was so happy to participate in the Retinoblastoma Family Day. We were able to time the drive so we could hear the entire presentations. It was wonderful to hear so many familiar voices of families we have met over the years at CHLA and through retinoblastoma groups. I was especially excited that there would be a raffle for Kendra Scott jewelry! I have always been a fan of her designs and appreciate everything they do for philanthropy. When my name was announced as a winner of a gold bracelet ensemble, I was elated! My mom and daughter cheered in delight for me!”

Being able to access the presentations and be part of the discussions that followed, even while travelling, was very important to Heather.  In the first, Dr. Jesse L. Berry, Associate Director of Ocular Oncology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) discussed new treatments for retinoblastoma. She updated the group on her research with the liquid biopsy of the aqueous humor to determine treatment outcomes for newly diagnosed children, and other cutting-edge research being done at CHLA.

Tara, mom of a five year old bilateral RB survivor, said the family day was very valuable: “It was great to hear from families around the state and beyond. I most appreciated learning about the most recent scientific developments that could affect my family in the near future. Dr. Berry’s presentation was enlightening and very informative.”

Elva Tamashiro from the Institute for Families, and Amber Shearer, a social worker at CHLA, presented about the psychosocial aspects of childhood eye cancer. Parents asked important questions on topics including encouraging kids to wear their protective glasses, guiding kids on how to answer peer questions about their prosthetic eye, and the importance of empowering children to discuss their emotions. Genetic counselor and bilateral retinoblastoma survivor, Melissa Mills, encouraged parents to set the example for their children, because usually kids take their cues from their parents.

While parents listened to the presentations, WE C Hope’s Child Life Specialist Morgan Livingstone led a virtual child life session in a breakout room, joining us from her home in Toronto, Canada. The kids made a Worry Eater craft from common household items. They talked about things that worried and scared them, and let the Worry Eater vanish their worries.

Mom Bree Coshow, whose husband, Todd, and ten year old daughter, Ely, are retinoblastoma survivors, especially appreciated that her children were occupied so she could focus on the presentations.

“Every aspect of the event was thought out so well, and the presentations by experts in the field were a wealth of knowledge. I appreciated the kids having their own activity that promoted conversation about their feelings and gave them a way to express and deal with them.”

Several worry eater plush toys and a homemade worry eater box sit among a selection of craft materials prepared for a worry eater making activity.

Morgan prepared her plush and homemade Worry Eaters along with crafting materials to lead the virtual child life session.

Young Rb survivor, Ely, shows her Worry Eaters, made during the session.


A young girl holds two homemade worry eaters - decorated boxes that can hold her worries.

I was thrilled to meet new families, reconnect with our Southern California families, and welcome our friends to the north. I did not realize from the RSVP’s that we had a family joining from Mumbai, India which was a great addition!

I selected the discussion topics and experts based on feedback from attendees before the event.  I’m so pleased that Dr. Berry, Elva and Amber made their presentations and Q and A sessions accessible to everyone, with a conversational, less medical approach.

Families usually see these ladies in the hospital and don’t feel at liberty to ask certain questions. Our Family Day allowed everyone space to be candid, and also gather input from fellow parents and survivors. I am so thankful to the amazing retinoblastoma community in California, and especially our California based WE C Hope board members in attendance, Kristen Small and Lisa Hester.

Marty Gonzalez, mom of an adult survivor, said “I hope other regions are able to put together similar virtual programs, because this event was a great way to build the retinoblastoma community in California.”

WE C Hope is looking to host a Midwest and east coast family day this year, and I cannot wait to extend our Family Day programs across the USA.  We are keen to take what we have learned in our California pilot, and work with communities across the country to bring more support to families and survivors living with retinoblastoma.

To promote the One Retinoblastoma World 2020 conference on October 3 and 4, I donated one complimentary family registration, which was raffled alongside our delightful Kendra Scott donations.

We had so much fun raffling the jewelry.  This was delightful surprise for our families that added more glamour and style to a wonderful, uplifting day.  These little gems were our breathing space and sparkling table games between the courses of our family feast – the presentations and networking that gave us all a much needed boost.  Thank you everyone who made our first virtual family event brilliant.

Shop Kendra Scott This September For WE C Hope

We’re all very excited at World Eye Cancer Hope to partner with national jewelry retailer Kendra Scott to host a Virtual Give Back Weekend!  On Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, shop at www.kendrascott.com using the code GIVEBACK8400 in the coupon code box at checkout, and 20% of your purchase price will be donated to WE C Hope. The code will be active from 6am PST on September 12 until 6am PST on Monday September 14.

Kendra Scott Gives Back

Kendra Scott is a loving mother who believes passionately in giving back through her iconic jewelry brand.  Known for her love of natural gemstones, unique use of color and quality materials, Kendra’s timeless pieces have won loyal fans, media and celebrities alike.

Kendra’s three core values are Family, Fashion and Philanthropy. Her company delights in giving back and making a positive difference in the community, and we’re delighted to partner with Kendra Scott this Childhood Cancer Month.

Our Kendra Scott Fundraiser

Our Virtual Give Back Weekend is a national event, and open to our international community too as Kendra Scott offers international shipping!  Shipping is free within the contiguous United States (Terms and Conditions apply). Your jewelry gifts can be wrapped for free too.

Visit www.KendraScott.com today and browse their beautiful pieces ahead of our fundraiser.  We particularly love the Hearts Collection, the Elisa Gold Triple Strand Necklace in Ivory Mother-of-Pearl, and the Reece Gold Choker Necklace in Sea Green Turquoise Mix

Marissa smiles as she holds a gold Kendra Scott jewelry box in her left hand and a One Retinoblastoma World 2017 program in her right hand. She is wearing a grey top and the Elisa Gold Triple Strand Necklace in Ivory Mother-of-Pearl. The necklace combines three chains with unique personalities and Kendra Scott’s iconic oval shape to create a layered look. The photo is taken outside, where a Stars and stripes flag is visible in the top right background.

WE C Hope USA President and bilateral RB survivor Marissa Gonzalez loves her new Kendra Scott necklace, and is excited to Shop For Good on September 12 and 13 to raise funds for World Eye Cancer Hope! Thanks to our partners at Kendra Scott for your generosity during Childhood Cancer Awareness month.


What treasures will you buy on the weekend of September 12 and 13 for yourself or someone special? Save the date to say “I Love You”, “I miss you”, “thank you”, or “congratulations”. Or simply prepare for some early holiday shopping that will add love and light to the lives of children with eye cancer, survivors and their families.

RSVP today on our Facebook event. Share far and wide to make our weekend fundraiser a golden success for retinoblastoma, and enjoy the extra sparkle as you Shop For Good with us on September 12-13!

How to Use the Fundraiser Code

When you reach the Billing portion of Checkout (after entering your shipping information), enter the code GIVEBACK8400 in the coupon code box below “Order Total”.  All letters in the code are uppercase.  Once you have entered the code, the words “Shop for Good” will appear in red under “Order Summary”. This confirms that your code was accepted for World Eye Cancer Hope.


Get ready to sparkle for kids with eye cancer, survivors and families!

Saturday 12 – Monday 14 September

Starts and ends at 6amPT/9amET

www.KendraScott.com

RSVP today on our Facebook event for reminders.


Image combines information about the fundraiser and retinoblastoma awareness. Title reads: Be a Gem and Shop for Kids with Eye Cancer September 12-14. Text reads: Use code GIVEBACK8400 at www.KendraScott.com 12 September, 6am PT – 14 September, 6am PT. Three panels across the middle of the image show photographs of children with various presentations of white reflex. Below, text reads: Support Childhood Cancer Month in style with… WE C Hope and Kendra Scott logos.

A white glow in the pupil of a child’s eye may be a sign of eye cancer. It can glow like a pearl in flash photos or flash momentarily like a diamond in certain lighting. Request a red reflex eye exam or ophthalmology referral if you are concerned about the appearance of your child’s eyes.

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