Meet ASK kid Maya

Melissa Smith describes her 11-year old daughter as a ball of energy, so when Maya Smith began having headaches, vomiting and sleeping unusually long periods of time, Melissa knew something was wrong.  

A few weeks after being diagnosed with migraine headaches in March 2017, Maya’s vision became blurry and she felt pressure behind her eyes.  An optometrist found fluid behind Maya’s eyes and immediately referred her to the emergency department at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR).

After several tests and brain scans, Maya was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare childhood brain tumor.  Maya’s dad, Ronald, returned from his Virginia National Guard deployment in Kuwait in time for her surgery to remove the tumor.  ASK was there to help Maya and her family navigate their “new normal.” 
 
“ASK helped our family in clinic, providing activities and emotional support for Maya through diagnosis and treatment,” says Melissa.  “They made us feel like we were not alone and supported our entire family." 

Education about diagnosis and treatment, the psycho-social affects of childhood cancer, and medication information are just a few of the resources that ASK has provided for Maya’s family.  

Maya particularly enjoys the support group for kids with cancer that is hosted at Penny Tree Place, ASK’s administrative office located near Willow Lawn. 

“Maya is really looking forward to Prom this year,” says Melissa.  “Dancing is what she loves.”
 
Maya, a lover of ballet, tap, lyrical and pointe, hopes to return to dance class as soon as possible.  In the meantime, she dances when she can and continues to impress her physicians by accomplishing balance and cognitive milestones in spite of her treatment. 

​This spirit carried her through her first radiation treatment – the day of her brother’s high school graduation – and will sustain her through chemotherapy treatments that will end in early Fall 2018.  Maya is looking forward to returning to school and dance class when she finishes treatment.