Dona Paul, 3rd December, 2024 – In a significant step towards advancing care and survival rates for children with retinoblastoma, CanKids Kidscan – The National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India, hosted a dedicated awareness session and the 12th annual meeting of the Fight RB India Stakeholder Initiative at the International Society of Ocular Oncology (ISOO) 2024 Pre-Conference.
Held at the Taj Convention Center, Taj Cidade De Goa Horizon, this pivotal pre-conference workshop was a celebration of collaboration and a platform for presenting a transformative roadmap for the future of retinoblastoma care. The event marked a significant milestone in the Fight RB India Initiative’s remarkable journey, aligning its 2030 goals with the WHO’s CureAll Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
The sessions featured insights from leading experts, including Dr. Amita Mahajan, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead, Paediatric Hematology-Oncology Service, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals; Dr. Mohanrao Dessai, Chief Medical Officer, Non-Communicable Diseases Cell, Directorate of Health Services, Goa; Dr. Sima Das, Director of Oculoplasty & Ocular Oncology Department at Dr. Shroff Charity Eye Hospital; Ms. Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman of CanKids KidsCan; and advocates like Ms. Priti Rastogi, Parent of RB Survivor and Mr. Vikash Yadav,Patient Advocate, Survivor, who shared compelling personal accounts.
Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, Director of Medical Services at Centre for Sight Eye Hospital and Program Secretary of ISOO 2024, remarked, “Retinoblastoma is one of the most treatable forms of childhood cancer, but early detection and equitable access to care remain critical. Events like these showcase the incredible progress we’ve made while reminding us that there is much more to achieve. Collaboration between medical experts, patient advocates, and policymakers will be key to closing this gap.”
Ms. Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman of CanKids KidsCan, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The Fight RB India Initiative is a testament to what can be accomplished when diverse stakeholders come together with a shared vision. Every child deserves the chance not just to survive but to thrive. By building partnerships, fostering innovation, and prioritizing patient needs, we are one step closer to creating a future where no family has to face retinoblastoma alone.”
The workshop, facilitated by CanKids Kidscan, highlighted key contributors to retinoblastoma care were honored, including Dr. Santosh G. Honavar, whose pioneering vision has set benchmarks in treatment, and Kanaka Sirpal and Siddhant Sirpal, whose impactful contributions have advanced early detection, therapies, and family support services. The workshop brought together NGOs, civil society organizations, medical experts, policymakers, parent-patient-survivor beneficiaries, and healthcare professionals. It fostered collaboration, strengthened NGO-government partnerships, and emphasized the power of collective action.
Strategies were unveiled to achieve universal access to care, financial protection, and improved survival rates through innovation and sustained partnerships. These strategies aim to transform the landscape of retinoblastoma care in India, ensuring that every child has access to life-saving treatment and support. Central to the initiative is Jyotirgamaya, a patient advocacy group amplifying the voices of survivors and families. Their lived experiences ensure that care is patient-centric, with awareness and advocacy remaining at the forefront of efforts.
The workshop concluded with a powerful goal, underscoring the Fight RB India Stakeholder Initiative’s mission to build a future where every child with retinoblastoma has access to life-saving care, sight, and hope.
