The Foresight Fund for Retinoblastoma Research was started in 2022 by families impacted by retinoblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. We strive to spark and support research on retinoblastoma (RB) and prevent its impact for future generations.

Quick facts on retinoblastoma

• RB is a cancer of the eye and occurs when tumors form on the retina.
• RB occurs most often in children under 3 years of age.
• Many cases are discovered when a white glow on the eye appears in photos.
• The cure rate for RB is over 95%, but treatment comes with risk and impact.
• 25-30% of children with RB have a hereditary form of the disease, which means they have a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.
   

Impact of retinoblastoma

Even with early detection and a very high cure rate, retinoblastoma treatment can come with side effects. Despite decades of research and advancements in genetics, children with retinoblastoma often endure chemotherapy, radiation, frequent anesthesia, vision loss, and more—all at a very young age.

Children with hereditary retinoblastoma are also genetically predisposed to second cancers such as pineal gland tumors, osteosarcomas, and melanoma. Research shows 33% of them will experience a second cancer.

Nate, age 7, third generation retinoblastoma warrior

Bernadette, age 5, second generation retinoblastoma warrior

James, age 10 months, first generation retinoblastoma warrior

Fighting for the future

Knowing more children will be diagnosed with RB every year, and with many experiencing RB over multiple generations, we are starting the fight for our next RB warriors now—years before they are even born. In collaboration with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), we established this named fund that honors children with retinoblastoma, their families, and hope for the future.

ALSF will direct donations raised for this fund to research on retinoblastoma, specifically:

• Innovative approaches to preventing and treating retinoblastoma tumors
• Retinoblastoma genetics
• Retinoblastoma predisposition

Funded projects

Since our fund started in 2022, we have helped fund the following studies:

• Mechanisms to Redirect Tumor Associated Macrophages to Target Retinoblastoma Cells
• Identification of Aberrantly Methylated Differentially Expressed Genes to Distinguish High- vs. Low-Risk Retinoblastoma

How you can help

• Make a donation - You can donate directly on this page by clicking the donate button. ALSF also accepts donations from donor-advised funds and other sources, for which you can designate The Foresight Fund for Retinoblastoma Research.
• Become a fundraiser - Host a lemonade stand in your neighborhood, ask for online donations, or plan a unique fundraising event to benefit the fund! To get started, click the button to register an event. You’ll get an event page to collect donations, a personal fundraising coach, and a free kit of ALSF materials to help you get started.
• Get in touch - Have questions or other ideas? We would love to connect!
  • Email us at [email protected]
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