Chandigarh, May 10
The Faculty of AEC, PGIMER organized the “Retinoblastoma Awareness Walkathon ” as a part of the World Retinoblastoma Awareness week (10-17th May 2026), today morning 6.30 am at Rock Garden, Chandigarh, with the objective of spreading awareness about early detection, timely management, and support for retinoblastoma children. What is retinoblastoma? It is the most common but highly curable eyecancer of childhood when detected early. It commonly presents as a “white reflex” like a“cats eye shining in the night. Hence, also called as “cats eye reflex”. As compared to the worldover data, India has a high burden of retinoblastoma cases. Currently, department of ophthalmology at PGIMER sees nearly 70-80 new patients per year, majority being between <1 to 5 years of age. When patients present early, not only the life but the eye of the patient can also be saved in the majority.
“ Retinoblastoma Awareness walkathon”was attended by >250 individualsincluding Retinoblastoma survivor children and their parents who had travelled long distances to participate in this event. It was attended in large numbers by doctors from Civil Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, Dr B.R.Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali, GMCH 32,GMSH 16,general public, all faculty, residents, optometrists, nursing staff of Advanced Eye Centre, Oncology team, from departments of Advanced Paediatric centre, Interventional Neuroradiology, PGIMER,Chandigarh. The Walk was flagged off by the Director, Prof. Vivek Lal, PGI Chandigarh, HOD of Department of ophthalmology, Professor S. S. Pandav, Prof Usha Singh, in charge of Retinoblastoma Clinic at the AEC, Dr Manu Saini associate professor from AEC, Prof Deepak Bansal, treating paediatric oncologist from APC, PGI, Dr Bhavita from the Prosthetic division of Oral Health Sciences.
Director of theatre arts Chandigarh Rajeev Mehta and his team put up a Nukkad Natak(street play) at the Sukhna lake, to sensitise the public about Eye Cancer in children. Through a role play, they emphasized that parents should not lose time visiting quacks to cure “White reflex” in the eye of the children, which could be an early sign of an Eye cancer, as this delay could cost the child his eye and even life in some cases. This will go a long way in creating awareness among the general public. Key message is “Early diagnosis is essential for cure”. The department also plans to conduct a drawing and colouring competition for children affected by Retinoblastoma with the purpose to spread awareness for parents, caregivers and for further dissemination of awareness back in their hometowns and villages.
