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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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Video created by Milin Patel. |
Summer Under the Sun:
Look for the Glow, Protect Their Sight |
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Summer brings longer days, travel, family gatherings, and plenty of photo moments we all love to capture and share. As you look back on vacation pictures this season, we encourage you to take a closer look, watch for The Glow, a possible warning sign of serious eye conditions in young children that can easily be missed in everyday life.
At KnowTheGlow, we are committed to raising global awareness of leukocoria and helping families recognize early signs that may protect a child’s vision. Whether it’s a beach photo, a backyard snapshot, or a quick phone picture at sunset, these everyday images can sometimes reveal something important. Early detection remains critical, and awareness is the first step.
This summer, as families come together and memories are made, we invite you to stay mindful and help share the message: checking for The Glow can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
With heartfelt thanks,
KnowTheGlow Team |
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IAPB 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE: Elevating Children’s Eye Health on the Global Stage (KENYA) |
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In June, KnowTheGlow joined eye health leaders, advocates, researchers, and partners from around the world at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE Nairobi 2026 conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
KTG was represented by Africa Program Manager Ruth Ngaruiya and Global Student Volunteer Ambassador Pemije Gadimoh, who engaged with the global eye health community to strengthen existing partnerships and build new collaborations with organizations who share our commitment to early detection and treatment of childhood eye conditions.
A key takeaway from the conference was the continued need to ensure children’s eye health remains a global priority. Conditions such as retinoblastoma, ROP, congenital cataract, and Coats disease can have lifelong consequences when not identified and treated early.
We are grateful to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness for bringing this community together and helping keep pediatric eye health at the center of global dialogue.
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Country Campaign Updates 🌎 |
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South Africa Campaign
(March 15 – June 15, 2026) |
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Our South Africa campaign has now successfully concluded, marking a meaningful period of reach and engagement across the country. We made strong progress in connecting with families, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and partner organizations—spreading critical awareness about the importance of early detection of childhood eye conditions.
The campaign was made accessible in five languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Sepedi, and Afrikaans, helping us share The Glow message more widely and meaningfully across diverse communities nationwide.
We are grateful for the partnerships and support that helped make this campaign impactful.
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Mexico Campaign Update
(May 15 – July 15, 2026) |
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Our Mexico campaign is currently underway and continuing to build strong momentum across communities nationwide. Running from May 15 through July 15, the campaign is engaging families, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and partner organizations to raise vital awareness about early detection of childhood eye conditions and The Glow.
Through culturally relevant messaging and targeted outreach, we are working to ensure that more families are informed and empowered to recognize early warning signs that can protect a child’s vision. We look forward to sharing full impact highlights once the campaign concludes.
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Glow Story Videos:
Sharing Strength, Awareness, and Hope |
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KnowTheGlow is proud to introduce our new Glow Story Videos, a powerful way of bringing our most impactful Glow Stories to life. These short videos share the journey of children from the first moment The Glow was noticed, through diagnosis and treatment, and into where they are today. Each story reflects the strength, resilience, and perseverance of families navigating a life-changing diagnosis while highlighting the importance of early detection and awareness.
If you or someone you know would like to share a Glow Story with us, we would be honored to hear from you. |
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GLOW-Bal Updates 🌎
University, Conferences & Partnerships |
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Know The Glow Ambassador Judith Mollel, founder of the Macho Vision Foundation, taught mothers at Chamwino Hospital in Dodoma, Tanzania to recognize leukocoria ("a white or glowing pupil") as a warning sign of retinoblastoma and other serious childhood eye conditions. Speaking from her own experience as a mother whose son was diagnosed with Coats' disease, she urged caregivers to seek care immediately at any unusual sign. Early detection saves lives and preserves vision.
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Partner Spotlight: Ambrose Wekwanya
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Ambrose Wekwanya, founder of GAF Eye Health Foundation and a valued KnowTheGlow partner in Uganda, continues to go above and beyond for his patients and community. Through his dedication to eye health awareness and access to care, he is helping make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. A special highlight this year was the opportunity for Ruth Ngaruiya from KnowTheGlow to finally meet Ambrose in person at the IAPB Conference. Thank you, Ambrose, for your partnership, commitment, and service. Read more about his work here.
KTG IN ACTION
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KnowTheGlow USA Ambassador Jennifer Villamar-Latif recently represented KTG at the 2nd Annual Drives For Hope Golf Tournament in partnership with Kids Kicking Cancer-TX Drives. Through the KnowTheGlow awareness tent, Jennifer engaged with participants, shared the importance of early detection, and educated families and community members about recognizing The Glow as a potential warning sign of Retinoblastoma. This meaningful event brought together advocacy, awareness, and community support to help create brighter futures for children and families impacted by childhood eye cancer. Click here to read more.
New GLOWbal Partnerships
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At KnowTheGlow, we believe meaningful change happens through collaboration, and we are honored to welcome several new partners to our growing global network. This month, we are excited to recognize De Olho Nos Olhinhos, Visual Eyes Afrika International, Eswatini Comprehensive Disability Mainstreaming Initiative, DOT Glasses, and CBM Global Disability Inclusion. Together, we are expanding opportunities to raise awareness, strengthen early detection efforts, and increase access to information that can help protect children’s sight. Through these partnerships, we continue building a stronger global movement dedicated to ensuring more families have the knowledge and resources needed to recognize The Glow and seek timely care. We are grateful for each organization’s shared commitment and look forward to the impact we will create together.
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Our Student Chapters🌎
Our KnowTheGlow Student Chapters are making a real impact across Africa, bringing awareness about childhood eye conditions directly to communities. |
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Introducing Our First-Ever Student Chapter in Ethiopia! |
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In partnership with the University of Gondar, KnowTheGlow has launched its first Student Chapter in Ethiopia, empowering optometry and medical students to lead pediatric eye health awareness efforts in their communities. Eager to kick-start the partnership during World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, chapter members developed an educational video in Amharic to help parents and caregivers recognize early warning signs of serious childhood eye conditions, including leukocoria (The Glow) |
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Student Chapters Unite for World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week |
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Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, KnowTheGlow student chapters from the University of Gondar (Ethiopia), Bayelsa Medical University and Novena University (Nigeria), KTG SACON Chapter, Manila Central University (Philippines), and the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) came together to deliver a unified message: early detection saves sight and saves lives.
Through a collaborative video, students across three continents are helping raise awareness of leukocoria (The Glow), a potential warning sign of serious childhood eye conditions, including retinoblastoma. If you notice a white glow in a child's eye in a photograph, trust what you see and seek prompt medical evaluation |
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Inspiring News 🖤
Advocates & Doctors who inspire us
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Spotlight on Dr. Marco Ramirez |
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In this newsletter, we are honored to spotlight Dr. Marco Ramirez, whose dedication has helped transform the landscape of retinoblastoma care in Mexico. After receiving specialized training abroad, Dr. Ramirez returned home with a vision to strengthen access to care, build systems of support, and improve outcomes for children and families across the country.
Today, his impact extends far beyond treatment—helping create pathways to earlier diagnosis, expanding physician training, and giving more children the opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to supporting awareness efforts in Mexico together.
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Team Updates 🌎
Team Members, Ambassadors, and Doctors |
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Gertrude Ndavi
Student Chapter Coordinator & Project Assistant |
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We are delighted to welcome Gertrude Ndavi as the newest member of the KnowTheGlow team in her role as Student Chapter Coordinator & Project Assistant.
Gertrude will play an important role in supporting and guiding our growing network of Student Chapters around the world by helping strengthen chapter engagement, providing ongoing oversight and coordination, and creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect through global activities and initiatives.
Her passion for collaboration and community-building will help empower student leaders to expand awareness, inspire action, and advance KnowTheGlow’s mission of protecting children’s sight through early detection. We are excited to have Gertrude join us and look forward to the impact she will make across our global student community.
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Jessica and Shaun Oliver
South Africa Ambassadors |
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We are honored to announce our newest KnowTheGlow Ambassadors, Jessica and Shaun Oliver of South Africa. Not only are they our first ambassadors representing South Africa, but they are also our first Family Ambassadors, bringing their personal Glow story and passion for supporting families to the KTG community. Inspired by their daughter Bo’s journey, Jessica and Shaun are dedicated to raising awareness, sharing hope, and helping families know they are never alone. |
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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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