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Know the Glow works globally to eliminate preventable childhood blindness through early detection and treatment of glow related conditions. |
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Entering 2026 with Gratitude and Purpose |
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As we begin a new year, we pause to reflect on 2025 with deep gratitude. Every message shared, conversation started, partnership formed, and donation made strengthened our ability to raise awareness and support early detection for children around the world. Because of this community’s commitment, KnowTheGlow’s mission remains strong and continues to move forward with momentum and purpose. With your continued support, we look forward to another year of reaching more people, building meaningful connections, and expanding our impact across communities around the world.
With heartfelt thanks,
KnowTheGlow Team |
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KnowTheGlow Annual Report 2025 |
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The KnowTheGlow 2025 Annual Report highlights the impact of our global initiatives, campaigns, and partnerships over the past year. From raising awareness to supporting early detection, it showcases how our volunteers, ambassadors, partners, and donors are making a real difference for children and families worldwide.
You can explore the full report and learn more about our work on our website: KnowTheGlow Annual Report 2025
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Standout Ads from 2025 |
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Raising Awareness, Reaching Millions! We are proud to highlight our standout ads from KnowTheGlow’s 2025 global awareness campaigns. These campaigns reached over 87 million people and generated 370 million impressions, helping caregivers and families recognize early signs of glow-related eye conditions. |
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Our commitment to raising awareness and supporting early detection is stronger than ever. Thanks to your support, we continue to expand our reach and work toward a future where more children are diagnosed early and receive the care they need. Visit our website to find all these ads and resources. |
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Glow The Distance: LA Marathon 2026 |
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KnowTheGlow is proud to be an official charity partner of the March 8, 2026, LA Marathon, and our extraordinary team of ten runners are training now for Team KnowTheGlow. We are honored to be represented by such a stellar group of runners ready to combine athletic commitment with advocacy, all while helping raise awareness and support early detection for childhood eye conditions.
Three of our ten runners have been highlighted in posts here, here, and here. Of special note to the world of Retinoblastoma, Team KTG is proud to be represented by paralympian triathlete Kyle Coon who was the first to sign up for the team. Kyle has lost both eyes to Rb and will run tethered to his guide. You can read more about Kyle’s journey on our website. We’re humbled and honored to have each and every runner representing us at the LA Marathon.
Cheer on Team KnowTheGlow at the LA Marathon by supporting their fundraising efforts. |
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KnowTheGlow IN ACTION |
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Our KTG in Action page on the KnowTheGlow website highlights outreach efforts around the world, not only by KnowTheGlow, but also by our partners, volunteers, ambassadors, and the connections we make on the ground. Here, you can see our materials being used globally, reinforcing that our message is strong and clear in any language.
At KTG, we are not just about awareness. We are driving prevention, accelerating diagnosis, building stronger systems, and championing early intervention education. |
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Visit the KTG in Action page to explore how KnowTheGlow and our global community are networking together and making a tangible difference in early detection and care for children everywhere. |
KnowTheGlow Featured
by the American Academy of Ophthalmology |
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KnowTheGlow was honored to be recently featured by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, highlighting the importance of recognizing the Glow, an abnormal reflection in a child’s eye that can be an early warning sign of serious conditions, including retinoblastoma. The post reinforces a key truth at the heart of KnowTheGlow’s mission: parents and caregivers are often the first to notice these signs, and early action can save sight and lives.
This recognition by one of the world’s leading ophthalmology organizations underscores the impact and importance of KnowTheGlow’s work, proving that awareness, when paired with education and action, can save sight and lives. |
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Chile Campaign
(Oct 15 - Dec 15, 2025) |
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KnowTheGlow’s Chile Campaign connected with doctors, organizations, and families to raise awareness of early signs of pediatric eye conditions. With support from our Chile Ambassador Carla Soto Vargas, we reached more professionals and communities, shared resources, and strengthened our mission of early detection. Visit our website to see the Chile Campaign materials and results. |
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China Campaign
(Jan 15 - Mar 15, 2026) |
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The KnowTheGlow China Campaign is underway, and we are excited by the connections made through medical professionals, partners, and friends. This campaign focuses on raising awareness, supporting early detection, and providing critical resources to children and families across China. Visit our website to explore the China Campaign materials. |
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South Africa Campaign
(Mar 15 - May 15, 2026) |
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Our South Africa campaign will run from March 15 to May 15, 2026, marking our continued work across the African region. The campaign will be carried out in close collaboration with local organizations and community partners, with a strong focus on integrating awareness materials into community outreach and advocacy efforts for community health workers, traditional healers, and other community stakeholders. |
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These videos reflect the global reach of KnowTheGlow’s mission and the shared commitment to raising awareness and supporting early detection across communities and cultures. We look ahead to the 2026 Glow Awareness Video Contest, where more advocates will help advance early detection awareness around the world. |
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Lucian’s Glow Story |
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When Lucian was just 2 years and 8 months old, he was full of energy, joy, and curiosity, showing no signs that anything was wrong. But one morning, under the hallway downlight, his family daycare educator noticed something unusual in his eye: a beige, lumpy shape where his pupil should have been.
She didn’t ignore it. When Lucian’s mom arrived, the educator gently showed her what she’d seen. That moment changed everything, leading to timely care and intervention that could make all the difference.
Read Lucian’s Glow Story here and see how awareness can save lives.
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Lyanna’s Glow Story |
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When Lyanna was just two years old, a white glow appeared in photos of her eye, a sign first noticed by her mother, Nicole Barros, and later by her daycare teacher. That early recognition led to timely care, helping Lyanna grow into the bright, resilient five-year-old she is today.
Lyanna’s Glow Story video has reached over 16K views, showing how KnowTheGlow’s message is spreading around the world and encouraging families everywhere to recognize the importance of early detection.
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GLOW-Bal Updates 🌎
University, Conferences & Partnerships |
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| KTG International |
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GLOWing With Student Impact
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Our KnowTheGlow Student Chapters continue to grow GLOWbally! We are thrilled to share that we recently signed a chapter at Novena University in Nigeria, with several more partnerships in the works. These student chapters play an important role in spreading awareness, sharing educational resources, and supporting early detection efforts in their communities.
Upcoming Conferences
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ISOO Rio Conference-
Co-Founder, Megan Webber, will be attending the ISOO Rio Conference in March. In the lead-up to the conference, our team will be working with the Saint Jude’s Global working group on the development of their Early Detection Toolkit, and we look forward to participating in their workshop day in Rio de Janeiro at the start of the conference.
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EAOO 2026 Conference-
Our Global Student Ambassador, Pemije Gadimoh, will attend the EAOO 2026 Conference in Riga, Latvia, taking place May 15–17, 2026. The conference is an international gathering focused on advancing optometry and optics across Europe. Pemije will present on “From First Glance to Lifesaving Action: Optometrists’ Role in Retinoblastoma Awareness and Action,” highlighting the critical role optometrists play in early detection and referral.
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IAPB 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE- Kenya
Our Program Manager for Africa, Ruth Ngaruiya, will attend IAPB 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Kenya this June. The event brings together global leaders and partners in eye health to accelerate progress toward the 2030 goals. We look forward to engaging in key discussions, strengthening partnerships, and sharing insights from our work across Africa.
New GLOWbal Partnerships
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We’re thrilled to welcome Charity Vision Somalia as a new KnowTheGlow partner. By joining forces, we are amplifying awareness, strengthening early detection efforts, and moving closer to a world where preventable blindness is no longer a reality.
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Inspiring News 🖤
Advocates & Doctors who inspire us
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Medical Advisory Board Spotlight |
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We are proud to share that Ms. Yogita Rajgandhi, Senior Optometrist and Low Vision Specialist at NIMS University in Mumbai, India, and a valued member of KnowTheGlow’s Medical Advisory Board, has been selected as the Best Woman Researcher in Public Health at the 6th International Inspirational Women Awards (IIWA) 2025.
Following a rigorous review process and evaluation by external experts, Ms. Rajgandhi was chosen for her outstanding contributions to public health and vision care. She will receive this honor at the IIWA 2025 ceremony on June 28, 2025, in New Delhi, India.
We congratulate Ms. Rajgandhi on this well-deserved recognition and are grateful for her expertise and dedication to advancing early detection and eye health through her work with KnowTheGlow. |
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Dr. Kumale Tolesa Daba |
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Dr. Kumale Tolesa Daba – Ethiopia
A pediatric ophthalmologist at Jimma University Medical Center, Dr. Kumale Tolesa Daba plays a critical role in retinoblastoma care and coordination in Ethiopia. She is an active member of the national retinoblastoma team and serves as Secretary of the Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia, helping align clinicians, government systems, and local NGOs to ensure children receive timely and often fully subsidized treatment.
Dr. Kumale is a passionate advocate for public awareness, an essential priority in a country where most retinoblastoma cases are still diagnosed at advanced stages. After participating in a “Glow” awareness video initiative some years ago at an ISOO Conference, she was surprised by how widely her video was shared, highlighting how simple messages can help parents recognize early warning signs like leukocoria.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Kumale is deeply committed to education and mentorship, training residents and medical students while continuing to strengthen national early-detection and care coordination efforts.
Read the full feature on Dr. Kumale’s journey and impact on our website. |
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Team Updates 🌎
Team Members, Ambassadors, and Doctors |
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Welcoming Our New Ambassador Liaison |
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We are excited to welcome Lisa Richardson as KnowTheGlow’s new Ambassador Liaison! This vital role will connect our global Ambassadors, keeping them informed about KnowTheGlow’s initiatives while gathering updates on their outreach and efforts.
We are incredibly grateful for Lisa’s time, dedication, and passion for our mission, and we look forward to the impact she will help bring as we continue to expand awareness and early detection worldwide. Lisa brings a fresh perspective, wonderful ideas, and a fresh energy to the team and will be an amazing addition and tremendous liaison to help keep our Ambassadors engaged, informed, and motivated in the years ahead! Welcome Lisa!
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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! |
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