President And Founding Board Member
World Eye Cancer Hope (We C Hope) Usa
United States
In 2012, the USA Chapter of World Eye Cancer Hope (formerly Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund) was founded with the goal of raising awareness and educating people about retinoblastoma; from signs of the "white glow," to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care and survivorship care. In 2016, Marissa assumed the role of president, growing the organization in a multitude of ways including financial donations, regional family support events, increasing WE C Hope USA's international presence and successfully… Show more In 2012, the USA Chapter of World Eye Cancer Hope (formerly Daisy's Eye Cancer Fund) was founded with the goal of raising awareness and educating people about retinoblastoma; from signs of the "white glow," to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care and survivorship care. In 2016, Marissa assumed the role of president, growing the organization in a multitude of ways including financial donations, regional family support events, increasing WE C Hope USA's international presence and successfully producing domestic and international events. -Event Chair for the One Retinoblastoma World Conference in 2017, 2021, and 2024. This unique event brings together medical professionals, survivors, current patients and family members to collaborate on retinoblastoma care, research, genetics and survivorship around the world.-In August 2023, Marissa represented WE C Hope USA at the International Society of Ocular Oncology's first-ever conference in Africa, which focused on the state of retinoblastoma across the continent. Here, she was able to form vital partnerships with pediatric ophthalmologists, ocular oncologists, child life specialists and key global retinoblastoma professionals to aid in advocacy in Africa. One key partnership formed at this event in Kenya is a formal partnership between WE C Hope, the US based non-profit Know The Glow and the Arclight Ophthalmoscope. This triangulated effort provides the Arclight device to six African countries and will aid in detection of retinoblastoma as well as other ocular conditions in rural communities and provide referrals to a local treatment centers. Show less