VIRGINIA CHILDHOOD CANCER
​ADVOCACY DAY

Lend Your Voice to Support
​Childhood Cancer in VA

Proposed 2020 Budget Amendments

We need your voice to help inform Virginia’s legislators about important issues facing children with cancer and why it's time for Virginia to include them in the state budget. 

There are two proposed budget amendments under consideration which would raise the level of care for childhood cancer patients and survivors. One is focused on providing supportive care in the areas of education and neuropsychological testing. The other is focused on establishing a pediatric cancer research fund to improve survival rates.

Download the Advocacy Toolkit for handouts, a sample outreach message and legislator contact sheet. Thank you!

"I have spent the last 2+ years in the haze of Charles’ cancer diagnosis, treatment, and trips to VCU and MD Anderson.  This legislative day marked the beginning of an opportunity for me to use my experience and my voice for good.’”

- Melissa Ellison, Mom

Advocacy Day Details
​January 22, 2020

Kick-off Breakfast and Advocacy Training
7:30am - 8:15am 

Children’s Hospital of Richmond, 1000 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219

Awareness Walk to Virginia General Assembly
7 min walk

If you’re unable to walk this distance, please let us know and we will arrange a ride for you.

Pre-Arranged Meetings with Legislators
8:30am - 11:00am

Virginia General Assembly, Pocahontas Building, 900 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
 ASK will schedule the advocate meetings with legislators. Schedules will vary but all meetings should be done by 11:00am. You’re invited to stay for the legislative session immediately following and represent childhood cancer from the visitor’s gallery. 

ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Virginia Childhood Cancer Work Group.

Virginia Childhood Cancer Work Group Members:

Dr. Kim Dunsmore
Chair of Pediatrics, Carilion Children's at Carilion Clinic

Dr. Glenn Edwards
Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Carilion Children's at Carilion Clinic

​Dr. Mike Engel
Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, UVA Children's Hospital

Amy Godkin 
Executive Director, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation

Dr. Joseph Laver
Division Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Dr. Christopher Lawlor
Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, INOVA Schar Cancer Institute

Dr. Eric Lowe
Division Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters

Dr. Billy Petersen
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, UVA Children's Hospital

Dr. India Sisler
Clinical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

Questions?

Please contact us at (804) 658-5910 or email Amy Godkin, ASK’s Executive Director.