At just 27 days old, Zoe was diagnosed with eye cancer.
At just 27 days old, Zoe was diagnosed with eye cancer.
Because of early detection and world-class care here in WA, everything changed.
Before Zoe was even born, her parents received devastating news. A genetic test revealed their baby had a high risk of developing retinoblastoma – a rare and potentially life-threatening eye cancer.
From the moment she entered the world, Dr Benjamin Host, paediatric ophthalogist at the Lions Eye Institute, and his team were ready.
They monitored her closely, watching for even the smallest sign.
And just 27 days later, they found it. A tumour – no bigger than 1mm. Small enough to miss, but big enough to change everything.
Because it was detected early, Zoe was able to receive targeted, sight-saving treatment right here in WA.
Today, Zoe is in remission. She’s thriving. And her parents can finally breathe again.
Not long ago, this story could have ended very differently. Families in WA had no choice but to travel thousands of kilometres interstate for treatment – often over months. For some, that simply wasn’t possible.
And when it wasn’t, an unthinkable decision had to be made. Remove the eye or risk the cancer spreading.
Dr Benjamin Host is a paediatric ophthalmologist at the Lions Eye Institute
No parent should ever have to face that choice. Today, there’s cause for hope.
At the Lions Eye Institute, researchers and clinicians are working together to deliver world-class breakthroughs in eye care right here in WA.
Because of this work, children like Zoe can now be identified as at risk before they’re even born, monitored closely from their very first days, and treated earlier – when it matters most.
Your support is helping drive innovations like early genetic detection, advanced retinal imaging, research into childhood myopia, and new non-invasive technologies that reduce the need for painful procedures.
Breakthroughs like this don’t happen on their own. They rely on ongoing funding, research, and community support.
Right now, we have promising projects ready to change lives. But without funding, they can sit untouched for years – even decades – while children and families continue to face preventable vision loss.
This is where you come in. Your donation helps fund early detection, advance life-changing research, deliver sight-saving treatment, and keep world-class care here in WA.
Help drive us toward a future where preventable vision loss can be stopped before it starts. Make your end of financial year donation today and help ensure children across WA can access life-changing care close to home.
Donations of $2.00 and over are tax deductible.
