When Wes was just two years old, his mother noticed an unusual glow in flash photos of her son. Concerned by what she saw, she brought it to the attention of their pediatrician, who dismissed it as nothing alarming. However, trusting her instincts, Wes’ mother sought a second opinion. A specialist delivered the devastating news: Wes had bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, and recommended the removal of both eyes.
Refusing to accept this as the only option, Wes’ parents sought alternative opinions, ultimately finding their way to Dr. Carol and Jerry Shields at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Shields believed that saving Wes’ eyes was possible. The family hoped to avoid enucleation through multiple rounds of cryotherapy and radiation and were successful in doing so until unfortunately, at age four, Wes developed seeding in his left eye, necessitating its removal. Though his right eye remained intact, his vision was compromised.
Despite these challenges, Wes grew up surrounded by the love and support of his family and friends. He played sports, pursued a career as a video editor, married a wonderfully supportive wife, and became a father. After over 20 years of wearing a prosthetic eye, Wes made the bold decision at age 25 to stop wearing it. He found that the complications of the prosthetic were more burdensome than living without it. Wes now approaches questions about his eyes with grace, humor, and confidence, becoming an inspiration to others who face similar challenges. His parents’ determination to seek the best care for their son continues to be a testament to their love and intuition.
Though now residing in North Carolina, Wes still travels periodically to check in with Dr. Shizuo Mukai at the Mass Eye & Ear Center in Boston. Unsure if his retinoblastoma was genetically linked, Wes and his wife ensured their son was closely monitored with regular EUAs until he was around four years old. His family is now dedicated to sharing their journey to help others, using platforms like TikTok to raise awareness about retinoblastoma and the obstacles Wes has faced with remarkable courage.
KTG is proud to share Wes’s story and to support his efforts in spreading awareness through new media channels, helping to make glow detection more widely recognized and understood.