LVPEI Whitathon raises awareness on child eye cancer

Hundreds of students, doctors, volunteers, and concerned citizens turned out at RK Beach Road on Sunday for the fifth edition of ‘Whitathon’, LV Prasad Eye Institute’s signature awareness drive against Retinoblastoma — a rare but potentially fatal eye cancer that strikes young children.

The walk, flagged off from Kali Matha Temple and concluding at the YMCA, was held as part of World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week (May 10–16, 2025), a global observance aimed at underscoring the urgency of early detection and prompt treatment. Nearly 280 participants joined the march, carrying placards and calling on parents to watch for early warning signs of the disease — the highest participation recorded in the event’s five-year history.

Ocular oncologist Dr. Suneetha of LVPEI’s GMR Varalakshmi Campus urged the public to stay alert to the warning signs of the disease. “If you notice a white reflex in your child’s eye in a flash photograph, don’t ignore it — see an ophthalmologist immediately. When caught early, Retinoblastoma is highly treatable — a timely diagnosis can save not just the child’s sight, but their life,” she said.

Virender Sachdeva, Head of the GMR Varalakshmi Campus, said funds raised through Whitathon go towards free treatment for children from economically weaker sections, as well as ongoing research into the disease. He noted that LVPEI has so far administered over 3,000 free treatments through funds mobilised from the annual initiative.

The institute currently handles between 150 and 200 fresh Retinoblastoma cases annually across its network. Dr. Sachdeva stressed that parental awareness and early medical intervention remain key to reducing fatalities and preserving vision in affected children.