World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week

Toolkit for practices has been created

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) is calling on optical practices across the UK to join forces in raising awareness for World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, taking place from 11 to 17 May 2025.

The annual event aims to spotlight retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer predominantly affecting children under six, and to promote early detection and intervention.

Because routine eye examinations can reveal early signs of the disease, such as a white pupil or a squint, the charity believes that the involvement of eyecare practices in the annual campaign is “vital”.

To support this, the charity has created a resource kit for practices, which includes pre-written social media content, images and guidelines to help practices effectively participate in the campaign.

Order leaflets to hand out in the practice

“By actively participating in awareness initiatives, optical practices can educate the public on these critical symptoms, potentially leading to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes for affected children,” CHECT stated.

Ways to get involved:

• Spread the word: utilise practice social media platforms to share information about retinoblastoma with CHECT’s pre-written text and images. CHECT will be posting throughout the week on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. By liking, sharing, and posting content using the hashtag #RbWeek, help disseminate vital information to a broader audience, or download the content to schedule it on practice channels using the toolkit
• Host a Crazy Glasses Day or Wear Blue Day: engage staff and patients in a fun and meaningful way by organising a Crazy Glasses Day. Encourage everyone to wear wacky spectacles and donate £2 to support families affected by retinoblastoma. CHECT provides free resources, including downloadable glasses templates, to facilitate this event. Alternatively, why not all dress in the charity’s branding colour of blue to support the cause?
• Distribute educational materials: display and hand out CHECT’s signs and symptoms leaflets in the practice. Leaflets can be requested directly from CHECT
• Fundraising initiatives: consider setting up a donation station in the practice or organising fundraising events. Funds raised will directly support CHECT’s mission to assist affected families and fund research into prevention and treatment

Find out more and access all resources on the CHECT website.