Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow, and Helene Dameris, Director of Global Outreach, met with retinoblastoma survivor Viviana Palomera Venegas to hear her story. With translation provided by Pablo Allard, Vice President of Chile’s National Network of Childhood Cancer Survivors, the conversation was held as part of KnowTheGlow’s upcoming awareness campaign in Chile.
Viviana was only 1 year and 8 months old when her father noticed unusual spots in her eye. At first, her parents did not know what it meant. During a family reunion, his godfather´s sister, a nurse midwife, examined her eyes and saw that something was very wrong. Viviana was not reacting with one eye. She urged immediate medical attention and called the hospital that same Saturday. By Monday, doctors confirmed the diagnosis: retinoblastoma.
Specialists in Santiago explained that her left eye could not be saved. Enucleation was required, followed by rounds of chemotherapy which continued until she was four and a half years old. Every six months, she traveled with her family from her hometown of El Quisco to Santiago for follow-up appointments, a journey that took two hours. At times, she stayed with the same uncle and aunt who had first recognized the signs of the disease.
While the treatment years were difficult for her parents, Viviana showed resilience from an early age. She adapted quickly to her prosthesis, and by the time she entered school, classmates were unaware she had lost an eye. Socially, she thrived.
Her treatment at Santiago’s public hospital was fully covered by the government, and extended family support helped offset transportation costs. When she turned 18 and transitioned out of the public system, she began paying for her own medical checkups.
Viviana’s experience inspired her career. She studied to become an oncology nurse and now works with Chile’s Ministry of Health, where professionals and technicians are trained in fields such as family medicine, oncology, and mental health. Strengthening oncology programs has become a mission she is passionate about and one that is deeply rooted in her childhood experience.
Beyond her career, Viviana is the mother of 10-year-old twin girls. She continues to use her story to encourage others, including a fellow nursing student who lost an eye due to tear duct complications. With Viviana’s support, the student embraced surgery and a prosthesis.
Yet challenges persist in Chile. Access to prosthetic services is limited due to a shortage of ocularists and prosthetists. Reliable data on retinoblastoma is also lacking, though new efforts are emerging. Viviana has connected with survivor networks through her ministry work, including leaders such as Carla Soto Vargas and Pablo Allard, and she is active with the Esperanza group, which supports families affected by cancer.
During her meeting with KnowTheGlow, Viviana expressed deep appreciation for its mission, describing it as pure, unique, and noble. She highlighted the importance of creating spaces where survivors can share their stories, believing these voices can guide and comfort families facing similar battles.
Viviana’s journey reflects strength, service, and hope. From a childhood shaped by retinoblastoma to a career dedicated to oncology and public health, she continues to inspire others and contribute to a stronger, more connected future for survivors in Chile.