Press & Events

Hyderabad, May 19, 2024 – L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) organized the sixth edition of ‘WHITATHON’ Run on May 19, to raise awareness about the early detection of Retinoblastoma (eye cancer) in children and funds for its treatment. The event commemorates the World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, observed for seven days starting on the second Sunday in May, every year. The run was flagged off by Dr Vineeth. G, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police – Madhapur Zone, at the University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, at 5:45 AM.

The funds raised from the Whitathon run are utilized to treat underprivileged children suffering from Retinoblastoma at no cost, and to support future research. This year,  over 2000 enthusiastic participants joined the cause, demonstrating strong community support for the event.

Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that primarily affects children under three years of age. The treatment usually involves multipl...

 -      Retinoblastoma eye cancer most commonly affects children below 3 years of age (90%).
 -      20 to 25% of cases of eye cancer worldwide in children are from India, and 50% of cases worldwide lose their lives due to late detection and inadequate treatment.
 -      Retinoblastoma is curable if the tumor is detected and treated early, thus saving the life, eye, and vision of the child.
 -      WHITATHON is L V Prasad Eye Institute’s annual cause-related running event to raise awareness and funds for children with retinoblastoma eye cancer
 -      2nd edition of Vijayawada Whitathon Walk to be held on 21 May 2023

Vijayawada, May 17, 2023: Shri P Raja Babu, Krishna District Collector, did the honours of unveiling the T-shirt for the second edition of the Vijayawada WHITATHON WALK 2023 organized by L V Prasad ...

[Vijayawada, 4th May 2024] The Kode Venkatadri Chowdary (KVC) campus of L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) achieved a significant breakthrough in advanced care for retinoblastoma patients by successfully performing the first-ever Intra-arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) procedure on a 4-year-old girl with bilateral retinoblastoma eye cancer. 

Despite completing a full cycle of 12 intravenous chemotherapies, the recurrence of the tumour in one eye prompted the decision to pursue IAC, which delivers potent anti-cancer drugs directly into the eye, particularly effective for retinoblastoma treatment. While this approach is prevalent in Western countries, its adoption in India is hindered by financial constraints and limited medical infrastructure. Undeterred by these challenges, Dr Anasua Ganguly, Head of the KVC Campus and Ocular Oncologist orchestrated the necessary resources and expertise to pioneer this procedure in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.Collaboration can m...