Retinoblastoma is an aggressive eye cancer affecting babies and young children. It kills over 7,000 youngsters each year, and blinds many more.
The most common early sign of childhood eye cancer is a white glow in the pupil of the affected eye. The cancer is easy to diagnose and when found early, treatment is very effective.
Suffering and death is highest in developing countries, where most affected children live and timely access to specialist cancer care is limited. In developed countries, survival is above 96%, but most children experience moderate to severe vision loss or complete blindness. Globally, children, families and survivors experience significant emotional trauma.