Even children get eye cancer. Twice in my career I have seen ocular cancer. One was a case of choroidal melonoma in an adult. One was a case of retinoblastoma - a rare but serious type of cancer that if not detected and treated is fatal by age 5. Fortunately, in both cases, the cancer didn't spread to any other part of the body, but the eye had to be removed (called enucleation). And they are at greater risk of cancer for the rest of their lives.
Obviously, cancer is a horrible thing for anyone to go through. But it is especially awful for the youngest patients who have not had the opportunity to experience many healthy years of life and do not understand what is happening.
On March 31st, I will be running the Warrior Dash. It is a 5K race. In the mud. Over Walls. Under fences. Through rings of fire. As part of the race, my friend, George Lopez, and I have pledged to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude's is to find cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. No child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
To support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital we are fundraising in two ways:
- For every pair of sunglasses we sell between now and the end of March, we will donate $5.00 towards the St. Jude's Goal.
- We are asking for donations from our friends, colleagues, family, and patients. Simply click on the "Give Now" Button below.
Thank you for your support. You can track our progress here.
Nathan Bonilla-Warford, OD
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