Author: Kim Doucet Boyer
Selfie of some of the attendees of the 2024 Retinoblastoma Research Symposium
Left to right: Bruce Crooks, Kim Doucet Boyer, Josée-Anne Doucet, Mawj Al-Hammadi
I attended the 2024 Retinoblastoma Research Symposium in Halifax. I am a RB survivor who did not realize how much I physically, mentally, and spiritually needed to attend this event.
I was nervous as my wife and I walked into the auditorium where the event was held, but right away, we were greeted with such warmth and kindness. Since we were a small group in Halifax, the vibe was very intimate, comforting, and inclusive. It even took us a few minutes to realize that we were mingling with an oncologist and a doctorate student! They made us feel like we were peers, equals, friends even.
As soon as the event officially started, we were hooked. The day went by so fast, and we learned so much about RB and its community. The presentations were fantastic, both from the healthcare professionals and the people affected directly or indirectly by RB. Many times, we were encouraged to voice our opinions and share our perspectives on different topics.
The Symposium is divided into well thought of sessions, ranging from informative presentations about RB research development to workshops where all the participants get to discuss a specific topic (psychosocial needs of RB survivors, prosthetic care, distress level, etc.). My personal favorite was on the second day of the Symposium where we got the chance to hear four testimonials from RB survivors. In my opinion, the variety of activities during the Symposium is sure to please everyone, whether you are a health-care professional, a researcher, a family member or a survivor.
It truly warmed my heart, boosted my confidence, and changed my perspective on life to realize that I am not alone. There are many RB survivors out there who face the same challenges that I do. Together, we can make our journeys easier. Some conversations are uncomfortable or difficult to have (second cancer risks, psychosocial effects of RB, trauma, etc.), but they are necessary to evolve and to ensure a brighter future for us and for those to come.
Overall, I would say that the 2024 Symposium was an immense success. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about RB, or to anyone who needs to feel a connection with the RB community.