Give Back In September with Kendra Scott

By Marissa Gonzalez, WE C Hope USA President.

WE C Hope USA’s 3^rd 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.”