a message from matthew ashford
"[I want to] tell you about `Matthew's
fight for sight.' A fundraising campaign with the
concerned folks at Jiffy
Lube. There is a little friend of mine, also Matthew,
who is fighting Retinoblastoma, and we are joining forces
to fundraiser for the Institute
for Families -- the folks who helped my family so
much all through Emma's treatment. It's easy -- for $5 you
can buy a packet of Jiffy Lube $5 discounts for each
service you buy as many books as you'd like and give them
then as gifts, stocking stuffers, for the office -- all proceeds
go to the Institute."
matthew's
story
Matthew's Fight
for Sight began when he was just eleven months old. Matthew
was  diagnosed
with Retinoblastoma, a cancer of the developing retina that
only occurs in newborns, infants and children under 5 years
of age. Left undiagnosed, Retinoblastoma can lead to blindness
or death. Fortunately, Matthew's Retinoblastoma was discovered
in time to save his life, but not soon enough to save one
of his eyes. Five years later, Matthew is a healthy, happy
kid. In gratitude to his doctors and The
Institute for Families, a non-profit organization
providing care and support to families impacted by Retinoblastoma,
Matthew, his family and friends at Jiffy
Lube are spearheading this effort to raise awareness
(and much-needed contributions) to fight this detectable,
curable disease.
about retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma
is a rare, fast-growing cancer of the developing retina
that only occurs in children under 5 years of age. The tumors
originate in the retina, the light sensitive layer of the eye,
which enables the eye to see.
i. retinoblastoma symptoms.
Common signs of retinoblastoma include:
- A white "glow"
or "glint in the pupil of one or both eyes.
- The presence of
a white pupil in color photographs
- Crossed or misaligned
eyes
ii.
early detection is key.
Failure to recognize retinoblastoma early may lead to blindness
or death among affected children. Red reflex screening and dilation
of the pupils is strongly recommended for all newborn babies
to assure early detection. If there are concerns a child has
Retinoblastoma, a referral should be made immediately to a pediatric
ophthalmologist.
iii. a message to pediatricians
and parents
Retinoblastoma can be treated and prevented if diagnosed early,
which is what The Early Detection and Treatment (EDT)
Program is all about.
The EDT Program encompasses three primary areas:
- Red-reflex screening
- Prenatal Screening
- Proteomics
iv.
red-reflex screening
Detection of Retinoblastoma in the first two months is essential
to prevent blindness. Red-reflex screening involving pupil dilation
can detect retinoblastoma and other ocular diseases before the
life, or the vision of the child is threatened.
v. prenatal/neonatal screening
New prenatal screening services are available in conjunction
with The
Institute for Maternal and Fetal Health
and The Institute for Newborn and Infant Critical Care,
including:
- Pre-conceptual
counseling for parents concerned about retinoblastoma and
related risks
- Prenatal retinoblastoma
screening and treatment by qualified geneticists.
vi.
proteomics
A promising new method for early detection of cancer in both
children and adults. To learn more, please visit www.instituteforfamilies.org.
www.instituteforfamilies.org
i.
services provided
- Therapeutic counseling
for parents, siblings, extended family members
- Therapeutic counseling
for affected children and preparation for eye surgery
- Support in coordinating
all services the family receives as they travel through the
storm of a child's diagnosis
ii.
education
- Interpreting/translation
assistance for all therapeutic services
- Referral
to other agencies if appropriate
- Material such
as videotapes and books for adults and children to assist
each family member
iii.
services are accessible to anyone in need
The
Institute for Families is a non-profit organization
and all services are provided at no cost to families and professionals
and is entirely funded by private donations.
For
more information on the
Institute for Families & Retinoblastoma,
please call (323)669-4649
or visit www.instituteforfamilies.org
Our thanks for your support! |
|