Meet Meghan Landry | Founder of Art For Eyes, Retinoblastoma Advocate, Writer, Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meghan Landry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meghan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Our organization believes art can save an eye or even a life. We have dedicated our mission to finding passionate artists who are good people and paint with a purpose to create a better world and future. As the Creative Director for Art For Eyes, and a single mother to a child with retinoblastoma and autism, this is a personal pursuit to educate our community. Inclusive art is a need, not a want. My background was originally in event planning for 15 years but I forfeited that career when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 18 months old in 2020, just 6 months after the unexpected loss of her dad in the height of Covid. Her eye was removed a week after diagnosis at Boston Children’s Hospital. Just a year later she was diagnosed with autism and is nonverbal. Art For Eyes was incorporated in February 2022, shortly after she was cleared for her 2 year cancer free report. We began our pursuit to use the healing power of the arts as a communication tool to spread awareness that kids with special needs are still kids with value, love, and a bright future ahead.

Art for Eyes organizes inclusive art programs and events which give meaningful opportunities and expression for those who face trauma. We educate the public about inclusive programs, holding space for community members with special needs, and raising money for kids in need of a prosthetic eye(s). Conversations about these topics, with the talented community of artists, allows them to pursue compassionate creativity in their craft. We have grown our group internationally and help children get the medical equipment they deserve across the country. Eyes speak. We listen.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My personal struggle with immense trauma helped me create something out of lack in the healthcare system. My dedication to serve and support others, to help see them through their pain has turned into more than a passion project. It became my life.

What began Art For Eyes was my personal journey. In the height of the Covid pandemic, September 2020, just 6 months after the loss of my daughter’s dad, Ryan, who passed away unexpectedly, she was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. Finding over 30 tumors in her eye, as a result she lost her right eye only 7 days after a cancer diagnosis. She was only 18 months old.

One of the ways to detect Retinoblastoma is a yellow glow from a photo using flash photography. I remember seeing a poster when I was pregnant in Florida of a child with two different colored eyes. My doctor at the time reassured me that “it’s super rare…it’ll never happen to you.”

That’s just one of the reasons why we believe art can and will save an eye or a life.

There is an incredible lack of education about this deadly disease that affects about 400 children each year. Many children diagnosed with retinoblastoma will lose one or both eyes to cancer. Living with a lifelong vision impairment and a life with prosthetic eye(s). Prosthetic eyes are not always covered by insurance. So we’ve combined the medical, the science, and the arts all together to fight this disease. Prosthetic eyes cost anywhere between $2700-$8000. Again, this custom, freehand, paint job for prosthetic eyes is not always covered by insurance. The eyes are very realistic and about the size of a quarter. A child will go through about 5-8 eyes by the time they are an adult. It’s not a light decision to remove a critical organ out of your child’s face permanently when chemotherapy is not always an option for survival. If I had waited even just 30 more days to see a doctor, the cancer would have spread to her brain and she would have died. Quick decisions must be made to stop the spreading in all patients. They also come at a financial, physical, and emotional costs for the patient and their families.

At the time I wasn’t thinking if I had the money, I was only thinking about saving her life no matter the cost. And I believe there is a bit of taboo when it comes to cancer treatments. Even as a single mom, Lyla and I were not considered for a lot of financial aid services due to the fact she didn’t have chemo or radiation. We also do not receive vision support services due to the fact her real eye has 20/20 vision. But not having chemo does not diminish her experience with cancer. Cancer doesn’t care how much money you have. It can happen to anyone.

Like many of these patients…they end up with more than just this diagnosis. Just because cancer leaves the body, cancer never really leaves you. Ending up scarred to only have it return in the other eye, or another type of cancer somewhere else in the body, or having delays, other disabilities, PTSD, anxiety, depression… the emotional toll cancer has on everyone in the family, especially a child, is more financial and mental work. My daughter Lyla was also diagnosed with autism 4 years ago. She is nonverbal. Many children face disabilities beyond just their vision after retinoblastoma. We should allow all children to be seen and supported. A financial burden of cancer on top of living with a vision impairment shouldn’t be a problem for families to worry about in their child’s recovery.

Art For Eyes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising awareness about retinoblastoma (a rare childhood eye cancer) and providing financial aid for kids’ prosthetic eyes through inclusive art programs and creative events. We communicate through art as a successful childhood cancer advocacy group and urban curation team looking out for artists who paint with purpose. Art can and will save a life.

Conversations about visual impairments, struggles with life with cancer, autism, obtaining medical equipment and assistance, inclusion, is something we aim to see for this next generation. Art For Eyes makes it impossible to turn a blind eye to childhood cancer and childhood disabilities. The goal is for every child to get the medical equipment and services they deserve alongside committing with living artists in a philanthropic goal of having them be seen and supported. We believe art is the most powerful form of communication and can save eyes and lives one story or piece at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since we focus heavily on the arts nonprofit sector, I would say Access Gallery on First Friday on Santa Fe opens its doors for the public once a month and it is a family affair. Access Gallery is an inclusive nonprofit organization that engages the community by opening doors to creative, educational and economic opportunities for people with disabilities to access, experience and benefit from the arts. Some of the works I have purchased here are my favorite. It is amazing to meet some of the artists and find new pieces each and every month.

For a nice meal check out Acova. They have donated to Art For Eyes on several different occasions. Each kids meal purchased money is donated to our prosthetic eyes fund for kids. They rotate nonprofits in which they support each month.

To no surprise you have to check out Rino Arts District. If you need a drink during your walking Mural tour, check out Improper City. We have hosted a gallery show here and they donate a portion of their funds to different nonprofits each month. During that show, I had volunteered for Denver Walls and it opened my eyes to a lot of what the community can do together. I have met professional muralists from all around the world and local artists who volunteer their time and effort to make this a really fun festival. A lot of the surrounding businesses like the ones in Green Spaces or Pop Up Art Markets, all have a bunch of powerful women owned businesses that you cannot help but buy a souvenir, get a tattoo, plants, crystals, clothing…you name it you can find it.

The Truss House in the Rino Arts District has some really fun events happening all year long. Art For Eyes will be there in May hosting an artists panel, gallery fundraiser, and an inclusive kids sensory workshop. Everything will be free and open to the public to attend. We hope to see you out there!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All living artists who continuously use their craft for good. All the galleries and businesses who have donated their space and served as a launch pad for more eyes on retinoblastoma and supporting kids with disabilities. We wouldn’t be able to show the world our story without your creative efforts. Your art has saved lives and given eyes to the kids who need them most.

Boston Children’s Hospital for saving my daughter’s life, and the continuous care at Colorado Children’s Hospital. The retinoblastoma community for your knowledge and welcoming support in navigating the tricky world of vision impairments and cancer for kids. Sharing your stories educates the world and comforts those who are affected everyday. The autism community for always encouraging parents and providers to think differently and create more space for patience and acceptance.

Thank you to every single donor, including my family and friends, who constantly show up support our fundraisers, shows, workshops, and financial support in getting the vision of how we can change the view of disabilities in healthcare and the arts.

Lastly, to my daughter Lyla, all of this is for you in order to constantly be shaping a better future with your light in it. You are my greatest work of art.

Website: https://www.artforeyes.org

Instagram: @artforeyescorp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079359622779

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDpXAIoEeJ8

Image Credits
Denver Sk-EYE-line Magnifying Glass: @artbypicks
Would Through Child’s Eyes: @kiliallano
Rainbow Eye: @lauramcgowanart
Lyla 2 years after eye removal (with her bubble wand)