Ava Grace was diagnosed at just 14 months old, leading to the removal of her right eye

The mum and dad of a toddler given a "blindsiding" diagnosis at just one year old hope she will lead "as close to a normal life as she can when she's older, but we're not there yet". Ava Grace, now three, is the daughter of Vicki Cooper-Bird, 37, and Ian Bird, 40, who received the devastating retinoblastoma diagnosis - cancer of the retina - shortly after her first birthday in 2023.

The uncommon cancer strikes between 40 and 50 people annually, typically children under five, and has resulted in Ava losing her right eye. "Ava's diagnosis, it was completely blindsiding," said Vicki, who resides in Port Talbot, South Wales. "We had no idea, nothing."

Ava had been a cheerful and healthy little girl, but e

See Full Page