Krishna District Collector P Raja Babu has unveiled the T-shirt for the second edition of the Vijayawada Whithon Walk, organised by the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI).
Whitation is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children affected by life and vision-threatening retinoblastoma eye cancer. Initiated in Hyderabad in 2018, Whitathon has expanded its reach to include Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar since last year. The second edition of the Vijayawada Whithon Walk will be organised on May 21 at the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Tadigadapa. The walk has two categories — 5K and 3K.
One of the most common symptoms of retinoblastoma is White Reflex (white glow) in a child’s eye. Through this walk, LVPEI aims to raise awareness among the public that if they spot a ‘white reflex’ in a child’s eye, it could be a sign of eye cancer that needs immediate medical intervention. Hence, the event is named ‘Whitathon’.
Dr Anasua Kapoor, Ocular Oncologist at LV Prasad Eye Institute, said: “It is important to raise awareness on the common symptoms of retinoblastoma in children and educate the public, especially young parents, on the importance of seeking timely medical care. Retinoblastoma is curable if the tumour is detected and treated early, thus saving the life, eye, and vision of the child.
“We are truly grateful to P Raja Babu for supporting the cause of raising awareness about the early diagnosis and treatment for retinoblastoma eye cancer in young children. Let’s together pledge that no child dies of eye cancer because of lack of awareness and treatment.”
