Support Molly's Battle Against Retinoblastoma
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My sister Molly Young was recently diagnosed with Retinoblastoma and has been out of work due to doctor’s appointments, procedures, and treatment since the fall of 2024. As a result, she and her husband Chance are in need of financial and emotional support from their community during this difficult time. They are juggling their normal expenses, in addition to steadily increasing medical bills, and the threat of wage garnishment from her health insurance company once Molly is finally able to start working again. Molly is currently receiving radiation therapy and is remaining optimistic. She was told she likely will not lose her eye, however, her eyesight will weaken over time and additional treatment/care will be necessary. Needless to say, the mental, emotional, and physical effects of going this has taken its toll on both Molly & Chance.
Retinoblastoma is a childhood cancer, and Molly’s is a rare case as she was not diagnosed until she was in her mid-30s. She is receiving care from the top doctors and specialists in their field, which of course comes at a high cost. The head of her care team is Jesse Lee Berry MD of USC Keck & CHLA. Any amount you are able to give is appreciated, and will go directly to Molly and Chance.
About Retinoblastoma:
- Retinoblastoma is a fast-growing eye cancer affecting babies and young children. Early diagnosis is vital to save children’s lives and sight, but very young children cannot tell parents their sight is changing, and the signs of vision loss in very young children can be subtle.
- A white glow in a child’s eye, seen in flash photos or dim light, is the most common early sign of this cancer. 90% of children are diagnosed because a parent sees this sign, but the time delay between first seeing the sign and seeking medical help is often several months or more.
- 96% of children are cured today in the developed world, but many lose one or both eyes or suffer significant vision loss due to late diagnosis.
- Curative treatment often has lifelong physical and psychosocial impacts on young children.
- 90% of children with eye cancer live in less economically developed countries, and most are diagnosed too late to save their lives.
- Global survival is below 20%.
- About 50% of survivors have an increased lifelong risk of certain other cancers, and many struggle to receive appropriate ongoing medical care.
Organizer and beneficiary
Allie Liles
Organizer
Glendale, CA
Chance Young
Beneficiary