Blog

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club January 2026

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, January 20 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Dhruv Kohli, Survivor, and Rod Bremner, Scientist. Together they will be discussing the article “Deneddylation of ribosomal proteins promotes synergy between MLN4924 and chemotherapy to elicit complete therapeutic responses” for which they have created a plain language article summary.

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event. In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Meeting Details:

https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/99246274026?pwd=p1LpvQodGxoN6Y5bVYLUddobp5iJwu.1

Meeting ID: 992 4627 4026
Passcode: 843404

“Cup of Boba” Journal Club September 2025

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club is a special teen edition: “Cup or Boba!” It will take place on Tuesday, September 16 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Nikola Ristevski, Youth Survivor, and Helen Dimaras, Scientist and Director of Global Eye Health Research at SickKids Hospital. Together they will be discussing the article “Governance and public trust: a case study of the rare-pediatric eye cancer biobank” for which they have created a plain language article summary. 

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/99375701933?pwd=fBa7UbbLluujatIsHytB4gafOEXDU1.1

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club June 2025

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, June 17 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Peninah Li, Parent, and Prakash Muthusami, Interventional Radiologist at SickKids Hospital. Together they will be discussing the article “Intra-arterial chemotherapy for unilateral advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: A long-term review of a case series” for which they have created a plain language article summary. 

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/93638571765?pwd=qGHD86XfT3do5waeSrSX9smJ1eZJhf.1

DEPICT Health: Digital Retinoblastoma Documentation

For over 50 years, research on retinoblastoma has shaped what we know about cancer and how to treat it. Dr. Brenda Gallie has played a key role in this journey, developing tools to improve care and communication for children with retinoblastoma worldwide.

We invite you to watch the videos linked in this post and join us on March 18 for a Cup of Tea event about DEPICT Health. This will be a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions. More details about the March Cup of Tea can be found here!

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In the first video Brenda Gallie explains how Dr. Gallie explains how her team built DEPICT HEALTH, a new and improved system designed to support doctors, researchers, and families in providing the best care possible.

https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=55013

In the next video, Ella Bowles advocated for the use for DEPICT Health and her passion for the incorporation of it as part of regular RB care.

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club March 2025

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, March 18 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Cathy Johnson, Parent Advocate, and Breanda Gallie, Ophthalmologist at SickKids Hospital and Designer of DEPICT Health. Together they will be discussing the article “Digital Retinoblastoma Documentation Supports Care and Research” for which they have created a plain language article summary. You can email retinoblastoma.research@sickkids.ca for a copy if you cannot access through your institution.

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Topic: DEPICT Health

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/96350571895?pwd=50QMijWn7gWADEEWXZUFATOFPp3qHu.1

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If you missed our last “Cup of Tea” event on, “Trauma-focused to Support Caregivers of Children with Severe Illness: A Caregiver-Initiated Systematic Review”, led by BC Pomeroy and Lindsay Jibb, you can watch the recording or listen to the podcast version now.

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club December 2024

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be BC Pomeroy, Patient and Public Engagement Specialist as well as a researcher with lived experience, and Lindsay Jibb, Scientist at the SickKids Research Institute and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. Together they will be discussing the article “Trauma-focused to Support Caregivers of Children with Severe Illness: A Caregiver-Initiated Systematic Review” for which they have created a plain language article summary. You can read the pre-published article below or email retinoblastoma.research@sickkids.ca for a copy. Please do not copy or share this article.

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Topic: Support for Caregivers

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/98184775296?pwd=NjdoVG1MWTY3MG5VMHVEaU5ZbTVZUT09

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada: Tailored Support for Families Affected…

Written by: Ivana Ristevski and Sue Marsh-Woods

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC) is a non-profit, national healthcare organization dedicated to helping people who have low or no vision. They offer a range of services, including training, tools, and resources, to assist individuals in adapting to vision loss and maintaining their independence.

Tailored Support for Children with Retinoblastoma

VLRC understands that the needs of each child with retinoblastoma are unique. Whether a child has partial sight or has lost their vision entirely, VLRC tailors its services to meet the specific needs of each family. This includes helping families monitor their child’s development when vision is affected or absent. VLRC provides practical skills and strategies that empower children to thrive in everyday activities.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services

For children and adults affected by vision impairment due to retinoblastoma, VLRC offers orientation and mobility training, as well as assistive technology to help individuals maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. VLRC also addresses the specific challenges of monocular vision (vision in only one eye), offering mobility training, techniques to enhance spatial awareness, and assistive devices to help manage daily tasks.

Getting Started with VLRC

Families interested in VLRC’s services are encouraged to reach out directly for a one-on-one consultation and develop a personalized plan. Accessing VLRC’s services is easy.  All you need to do is visit their official website (visionlossrehab.ca) to fill out a brief online referral form or ask for a referral from a healthcare provider. For more information, you can call them at 1-844-887-8572.

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club September 2024

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, September 17 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Charles Campbell, parent of a retinoblastoma child, and Atul Jaiswal, PhD researcher and adjunct assistant professor at Queen’s University. Together they will be discussing the article “A scoping review of vision rehabilitation services in Canada” for which they have created a plain language article summary. 

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event. If you cannot access the original article, please contact us at retinoblastoma.research@sickkids.ca.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Topic: Impact of RB on Daily Living

Meeting Link: We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event. If you cannot access the original article, please contact us at retinoblastoma.research@sickkids.ca.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

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If you missed our last “Cup of Tea” event on, Applications of three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology, led by Mark Scanlon and Noha Soliman, you can watch the recording or listen to the podcast version now.

Increasing Awareness of Retinoblastoma Among Pediatricians and Family Doctors…

Mallipatna Lab

Dr. Ashwin Mallipatna is a distinguished pediatric ophthalmologist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Specializing in retinoblastoma, Dr. Mallipatna is dedicated to advancing the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this and other pediatric eye conditions. His work at SickKids includes leading innovative clinical research and participating in multi-disciplinary collaborations to develop new treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Mallipatna is also at the forefront of educational initiatives, working on developing 3D printed eye models to educate pediatricians and family doctors about retinoblastoma. Through his extensive clinical expertise, research endeavors, and educational contributions, Dr. Mallipatna plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of pediatric ophthalmology.

3D Printing for Retinoblastoma Education

3D printing technology is revolutionizing the field of ophthalmology, particularly in the treatment of retinoblastoma. At SickKids Hospital in Toronto, the research team is leveraging this technology to create anatomically accurate and optically functional 3D models of the eye. These 3D-printed models can play a crucial role in educating healthcare professionals, including pediatricians and family doctors, on identifying abnormal eye reflexes and other conditions such as retinoblastoma. Additionally, the models assist in planning and training for complex treatments like enucleation and laser treatment for retinoblastoma.

The use of 3D-printed models offers significant benefits in medical education and training. These models provide a much more detailed and accurate representation of eye anatomy and abnormalities compared to traditional 2D images or diagrams. This enhanced visualization helps healthcare professionals develop a deeper understanding of various ophthalmological conditions and how to properly identify them. By using these models, surgeons and other medical professionals can better plan and practice procedures, which improves surgical outcomes and reduces risks for patients.

Moreover, 3D-printed models are more accessible and can be easily distributed, increasing the reach of educational materials. This helps raise awareness and knowledge about ophthalmological conditions among a wider range of medical practitioners. The ability to replicate these models ensures that more healthcare providers can benefit from this advanced training tool, ultimately leading to better patient care and outcomes.

“Cup of Tea” Journal Club June 2024

The CRRAB “Cup of Tea” is a quarterly journal club intended to bring the Canadian retinoblastoma community together for an informal discussion on research. During this meeting, speakers provide a plain language summary of a research article then lead a discussion on the topic covered.

The next “Cup of Tea” journal club will take place on Tuesday, June 18 at 8:00PM – 9:00PM Eastern Time. Our speakers will be Mark Scanlon, retinoblastoma survivor, and Noha Soliman, PhD student at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. Together they will be discussing the article “Applications of three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology” for which they have created a plain language article summary. We will also be joined by Jane Walter, a postdoctoral research fellow at SickKids in the Mallipatna Lab to share how the Mallipatna Lab is using 3D printing in ophthalmology education.

We invite all members of the retinoblastoma community including those with lived experience of retinoblastoma, health professionals, and researchers to participate in this free virtual event. If you cannot access the original article, please contact us at retinoblastoma.research@sickkids.ca.

In order to stay up to date on events such as this one, join the RB Research Community.

Event Details

Time: Tuesday, June 18, 2024, 8:00 PM ET

Duration: 60 minutes

Topic: 3D printing in ophthalmology

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/96836951709?pwd=VC9lZHdtbVEzVEpMeEM1MGV0ZVB6UT09

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If you missed our last “Cup of Tea” event on, “Recommendations for Long-Term Follow-up of Adults with Heritable Retinoblastoma” led by Ella Bowles and Dan Gombos, you can watch the recording or listen to the podcast version now.