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Facebook Photo Helps Nurse Spot 2-Year Old's Eye Cancer

by Amar Toor on October 18, 2010 at 08:25 AM

Grace Freeman Facebook PhotoTwo-and-a-half year old Grace Freeman was recently diagnosed with a retinoblastoma -- a cancer of the eye that, if left untreated, could've easily killed her. Luckily, Grace's doctors detected the cancer before it could spread to other parts of her small body, and saved her life. But if it weren't for Facebook (and one, very vigilant friend), things could've been tragically different.

The Daily Mail reports that Nicola Sharp, a pediatric nurse and family friend of the Freemans, originally picked up on Grace's condition while browsing through a series of Facebook photos posted by the youngster's mom, Michele. Sharp noticed one picture of Grace, in particular, which just didn't look right. The pic was clearly taken with a flash, and, as a result, the pupil in Grace's right eye was infused with a characteristic red tint. The left pupil, however, was white -- a possible sign of cancer.

Sharp immediately notified Grace's mother, and doctors soon diagnosed the toddler with retinoblastoma. If diagnosed early enough, the condition is entirely treatable. If not, however, it can be fatal. Fortunately for the Freemans, Grace's doctors picked up on her cancer just in time, though Grace did lose all vision in her left eye. "There is no doubt in my mind that Nicola saved Grace's life," Michele Freeman told the Daily Mail. "There were no signs that Grace had any problems with her eyes and we never would have known without her." Or, for that matter, without Facebook.

Tags: baby, cancer, death, facebook, gracefreeman, health, medicine, photos, SocialNetworking, toddlers, top, uk, web, youth

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