Newborn eye cancer survivor helps open new Vision Express store

To mark September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness month, newborn eye cancer survivor Ivy and her parents Ewelina and Michael declared a new Vision Express store in Edinburgh open.

Vision Express Edinburgh officially opens its new store with a special guest from the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT)

The visit celebrated the retailer’s nominated charity, the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT).

Ivy was born in December 2014 and was diagnosed as having a rare form of eye cancer known as retinoblastoma early this year. Ewelina noticed a white reflection in one of Ivy’s eyes - a known symptom of retinoblastoma - and remembered a CHECT poster she had seen in a GP surgery.

Following the diagnosis Ivy unfortunately had to have her eye removed to save her life - she now has an artificial eye. Ivy’s other eye is also affected and is currently stable.

Ewelina added: “We’ve had a great day opening the new Vision Express store in Edinburgh with Ivy and the team. Being involved in the ribbon cutting was a fantastic experience and I was really proud to represent CHECT.”

“The team at Vision Express Edinburgh is extremely professional and helpful.”

The new Vision Express on Frederick Street comes following a re-site from the old Edinburgh store. The new store will house upgraded facilities and state-of-the-art examining equipment, which will allow the store to continue to deliver an individual and thorough vision care service to the local community.

Store manager Stuart Scott welcomed Ivy and her parents to the store.

He said: “It was an absolute honour to have Ivy and her family along to our store today to perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting on behalf of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.”

“We are all really excited to start using the new equipment in store and the whole team are looking forward to welcoming the public through our doors.”