Hope in Sight: A Child’s Fight Against Retinoblastoma

Video made for children 

Hello and welcome, everyone, to our Digital Labs.

My name is Sofonie Dala, and I am a proud advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — our global blueprint for a better, fairer, and more compassionate world.

Today, I bring you not just information, but a story — a real, urgent, and deeply human story that connects directly to our shared mission of leaving no one behind.

Raising awareness, advancing the SDGs, and calling for urgent action

The Night Everything Changed

This is the story of Sandro, a bright 5-year-old boy full of curiosity and light — but whose journey took a dark and unexpected turn.

A few days ago, in the quiet of a dark night, his mother, Isabel Marques, noticed something chilling: her son’s eye was shining in the dark — glowing unnaturally, like a cat’s eye.

Startled and afraid, she rushed Sandro to the nearest hospital. The local doctors, shocked and unfamiliar with what they saw, immediately referred them to a larger hospital for specialized care.

There, they received the devastating news: Sandro had Retinoblastoma — a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the eye, most often in children between the ages of 2 and 5.

A Late Diagnosis, A Heavy Toll

By the time it was discovered, the cancer had already advanced.

One of Sandro’s eyes had turned dark. The disease had progressed quietly and relentlessly to the point that he is now almost completely blind in one eye.

He sees the world through just one eye — a heartbreaking consequence of a disease that is treatable if caught early.

Understanding Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a rare form of cancer that starts in the retina, the part of the eye that senses light.

It is the most common eye cancer in children, and 80% of cases are first diagnosed in children under 3 years old.

Early detection can save vision — and in many cases, save lives.

The SDGs at the Heart of This Story

Sandro’s story reminds us why the Sustainable Development Goals are not just global targets — they are lifelines.

• 🩺 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  Every child deserves access to quality healthcare and early diagnosis — no matter where they are born.

• 💸 SDG 1: No Poverty
  Isabel, like many mothers around the world, lacked access to affordable, specialized medical care for her child.

• ⚖️ SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  Health outcomes should not depend on geography or income. But too often, they still do.

A Call to Action

Sandro’s story is not just a tragedy — it’s a call to action.

Here’s how you can help:

• 📢 Share this story to raise awareness about childhood cancers like retinoblastoma.

• 💰 Support organizations that provide eye screenings and medical care to children in underserved communities.

• 🏥 Advocate for universal healthcare so every child — rich or poor — gets a fighting chance.

• 🧠 Educate families and caregivers about the signs of this disease, like eye glow in dim light.

Hope Is Still Possible

Sandro’s journey is difficult, but it’s not over.

With support, with care, and with global solidarity, we can make sure he — and thousands like him — gets the chance to see the world with both eyes and with renewed hope.

Thank you for listening.
Thank you for standing up for Sandro.
And thank you for being part of the global movement to achieve the SDGs — not in theory, but in action.

I’m Sofonie Dala, and this is Digital Labs — where stories matter, and action begins. 🌍✨

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