|
|
|
Know the Glow works globally to eliminate preventable childhood blindness through early detection and treatment of glow related conditions. |
|
|
 |
|
|
GLOW-bal Pathways: From Summer Days to Brighter Tomorrows |
|
As summer begins to wind down, KnowTheGlow is reflecting on the incredible strides made these past months and looking ahead to the opportunities that lie before us. Each season brings new chances to connect, collaborate, and spread life-saving awareness and August is no exception.
In this edition of our newsletter, we’re honored to highlight the remarkable progress of our outreach across Africa and other regions worldwide, along with introducing inspiring new partners joining our mission to prevent childhood blindness. Together, every effort counts, pushing our mission forward and making an impact worldwide.
Thank you for standing with us in this mission. Together, we’re not only raising awareness, we're changing the future for children worldwide.
Know The Glow Team |
|
|
 |
Awareness in the Headlines |
|
|
Our KnowTheGlow in Action page is now live! On this new page, you'll explore the real-world impact of KTG's targeted digital campaigns, community partnerships, local outreach, and more. Visit now to discover how KTG brings its mission to life to help eliminate preventable childhood blindness around the world. |
| View now |
|
When it comes to retinoblastoma, every day matters. A new study reveals that the greatest delay in diagnosis and treatment is not within the healthcare system, but at home,when parents hesitate to act after noticing warning signs. This parental lag time, more than any medical barrier, is driving late-stage presentations and worsening outcomes. |
| Learn more |
|
KnowTheGlow had the honor of speaking at One Rb World 2024 in Hawaii, with presentations by Co-Founder Megan Webber, Kenya Ambassador Grace Mbugua, and Corporate Development lead Cindy Mays. We were humbled to see other organizations incorporate our materials and share their experiences with our work. To celebrate this moment, we created a short video showcasing how KnowTheGlow is making A GLOWING IMPACT worldwide. Thank you to everyone featured in the video and to One Rb World for giving us the platform to raise awareness and advance our mission.
KnowTheGlow was proud to support the powerful new film My Eyes and participate in a post-screening panel on the importance of early vision screening. Cindy Mays, representing KTG, joined advocates including Jeff Todd from Prevent Blindness to discuss how early detection can transform children’s lives and the impact of initiatives like the EDVI Act. The film and panel sparked meaningful conversations about vision awareness and the difference early screening can make.
KnowTheGlow’s Director of Global Outreach, Helene Dameris, joined SEE International at the 6th Annual Backpack Event in Santa Barbara. Over 300 families received free school supplies, health services, and sight-saving eye screenings with the Spot Vision Screener helping detect conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus in children as young as five.
Special thanks to Anisha Verdialez and the dedicated SEE Vision Care team for creating such a warm and welcoming environment for families. Together, they ensured children in the community gained access to vital vision care. See a recap of the event here.
|
|
|
|
|
Global Campaign Updates
|
|
In celebration of Ethiopia and the COECSA Conference in Addis Ababa, our Ethiopia Awareness Campaign officially launched on August 15, 2025—and it’s already making a powerful impact. Alongside our partners at AMCC, KnowTheGlow was proud to stand on the COECSA stage, where together we amplified awareness and reached even more families and providers. KTG’s Africa Program Manager, Ruth Ngaruiya, and Global Student Chapter Ambassador, Pemije Gadimoh, are on the ground engaging with doctors, organizations, and families to spread this critical message. Stay tuned for inspiring stories and campaign updates as the momentum continues to grow. |
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
Ghana Campaign |
|
KnowTheGlow is honored to wrap up our Ghana awareness campaign, where we had the privilege of meeting with many remarkable doctors, NGOs, and organizations dedicated to preventing childhood blindness. From leading clinicians like Dr. Cynthia Pakyennu and Dr. Hornametor to passionate advocates such as Vision Action, we were inspired by the commitment, collaboration, and innovative work happening across the country. This campaign has helped strengthen relationships, spread vital awareness of The Glow, and spark conversations about the importance of early detection. |
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
Africa Updates from KTG Program Manager, Ruth |
|
As KTG’s Africa Program Manager, Ruth Ngaruiya continues to drive powerful change across Africa. By engaging doctors, families, and organizations, she is advancing awareness and reinforcing the importance of early detection. Don’t miss her August update. |
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
Tapa’s Glow Story |
|
|
After the devastating loss of their first child, Dipak and his wife refused to give up hope. When Tapas was born, they acted swiftly driven by love and determination to change his future.
|
| Read more |
|
As KnowTheGlow continues to share Glow Stories that inspire and teach us, we want to highlight more families and their journeys. Zoe’s story reminds us how a simple photograph revealed a glow that led to her retinoblastoma diagnosis, while Marcello’s story shows how a parent’s instinct turned what seemed like a minor concern into the discovery of Coats’ Disease.
You can read Zoe’s Glow Story and Marcello’s Glow Story here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GLOW-Bal Updates 🌎
University, Conferences & Partnerships |
|
|
 |
|
|
| KTG International |
|
|
-
From January to March 2025, KnowTheGlow partnered with Professor Barb Calhoun’s Rare Disease Advocacy Immersion course at the University of Notre Dame, helping train the next generation of patient advocates to make a meaningful difference in the rare disease community. We were deeply touched by the students’ thank-you video - watch it here!
-
Exciting news from KTG’s Manila Central University (MCU) Chapter! The KTG MCU Student Chapter has been honored with the “Best Interest Group Award” for their dedication to raising awareness about preventable childhood blindness. Congratulations to Joan V. Lituan, this year’s KTG Leadership Award recipient, for her outstanding leadership and commitment to impactful initiatives!
-
We’re thrilled to announce the official launch of the first KnowTheGlow (KTG) Student Chapter in Africa, hosted by Bayelsa Medical University in Nigeria! This milestone was made possible through the leadership of Dr. Chiwendu Green and the dedication of BMU’s passionate optometry students. Read more here: https://knowtheglow.org/ktg-launches-first-african
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inspiring News 🖤
Advocates & Doctors who inspire us
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sara Brown |
|
Sara Brown has spent the past eight years championing children’s vision on Capitol Hill. She helped draft the bipartisan EDVI Act, ensuring every child is screened and connected to eye care. Reintroduced this year, the bill is gaining momentum and making a real impact for children nationwide. Megan will be proudly standing beside Sara at the upcoming congressional event on World Sight Day. |
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
Awareness Program |
|
We’re excited to share an update from Dr. Purnima Rajkarnikar on the recent training and awareness program she led in Nepal with OpenEyes Nepal, OpenEyes Global, and the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. The program trained primary health care workers, vaccine nurses, school nurses, and ophthalmic assistants in the early detection of Retinoblastoma using the Arclight. |
|
|
| Learn more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Would you like to help Know the Glow spread awareness of glow-related diseases?
Click SUPPORT to help Know the Glow continue spreading the message! |
|
|
| Support Know The Glow |
|
|
 |
|
|
