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The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT)

Registered Charity Number 327493

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT)

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) is the only UK Charity solely dedicated to helping families and individuals affected by Retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. They provide support, raise awareness and fund research into prevention and treatment.

What is Retinoblastoma?

Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that affect young children, mainly under the age of 6. It develops in the cells of the retina, the light sensitive lining of the eye. Around 40-50 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year – approximately one child every week. Retinoblastoma can either affect one or both eyes.

About The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT)

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) is a UK charity dedicated to helping people affected by retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. They:

  • Provide support and information to families and individuals.
  • Fund research into the prevention and treatment of retinoblastoma.
  • Raise awareness among health professionals and the public.
  • Influence policy to improve services for patients.

They have been helping families for more than 30 years but don’t receive any money from the government and solely rely on public support to fund their vital work.

CHECT is a small charity which plays a big role in the lives of people affected by Retinoblastoma. In the last three years:

  • 100% of families in the UK were offered support following a diagnosis of retinoblastoma and throughout their child’s treatment.
  • Provided over 2,000 hours of support to around 525 families each year.
  • More than £8,500 was given in grants for 40 families facing financial difficulty because of the expenses related to their child’s treatment.
  • In feedback 100% of people who responded said CHECT support helped them in their experience of dealing with eye cancer.
More Information

Learn more about CHECT

AJ’s Story

On 25th November 2021, our director, Alex, took his little boy (AJ) to the GP as his eye had gone cloudy.

Thinking the GP would simply prescribe a course of antibiotics, Alex and his wife were shocked and worried when they were sent to hospital for more tests and then referred to Manchester Eye Hospital for more tests a day later.

Hours passed on the Friday and eventually, they were told that AJ had a growth in the back of his eye which was also known as Retinoblastoma, an extremely rare form of eye cancer, normally found in children under 5. The size of the tumour determines the treatment that the child requires.

AJ CHECT

AJ needed to go under a general anaesthetic for an examination by a specialist RB team in Birmingham and unfortunately, it was found that the tumour was too big for treatment and enucleation of the right eye (removal) was the best way forward for him. AJ had his right eye fully removed on 09th December 2021 (just one day after his first birthday) but then later in December, the implant used to fill the socket space was rejected by AJ’s body. AJ had another operation on 05th April 2022 to fill the space of the socket using fat taken from elsewhere on his body.

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) have been a massive support to Alex and his family throughout AJ’s diagnosis and treatment and to say thank you, the family raised £1,665 in honour of AJ’s birthday, to help support other families affected by Retinoblastoma.

Alex and Natasha also arrange an annual charity night to take place in May each year raising funds for both BWITC and CHECT. Since 2022, and over 3 charity nights, an incredible combined total of £17,600 has been raised.

AJF Commercial Business Sales also make monthly donations to CHECT to further support the amazing work that they do on a daily basis.

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” Fantastic family firm. AJF strived to help me achieve a successful sale. They have supported me throughout the process offering excellent advice and guidance I would highly recommend them to all. ”

” I bought a business through AJF. Alex and Nigel were both great. They understood my point of view in any issue I had and they always found a middle ground. They played a great role for both seller and buyer to complete the business transaction. I would highly recommend them. A+ ”

” Just a few lines to let you know how I have found the outstanding service that you have provided and continued to do so. From the start the kind friendly voice on the phone to meeting a lovely highly knowledgeable lady called Andrea, to Alex being on the end of the phone and replying very promptly to an email. The service is outstanding as I have said before. Between them they have offered very useful advice and put suggestions to me of which I would have never thought of and made sense. I can honestly say I have never received such high-quality support from any other agent that I have used in the past, of which I have personally bought and sold a few in my life. I would not think twice about recommending this company to anyone. They are as mad a box of frogs, kind and considerate. They are trustworthy, inspiring, so knowledgeable, supporting and a breath of fresh air taking all the stress away. Love them. ”

” Very good family-run business who act quickly to try and sell your business. Would have no hesitation in recommending them. ”

” Andrea and Alex at AJF Commercial Business Sales have been very helpful and reassuring in the process of finding a buyer within a short time period. They offer a friendly service and their communication is excellent. I have already recommended them to a colleague in a neighbouring business and will not hesitate to recommend them further. ”

” Hi Alex, just a quick thank you to both you and your mum for looking after myself and Tony over the last few months, we are grateful for your impeccable service, can’t fault you in any way shape or form, it’s been a pleasure dealing with you. Thank you again. ”