Launch Project: Meet Xavier

Charming. Talented. Motivated. A big dreamer with the ability to make those dreams come true.  Cancer survivor.  Xavier Kirkland is an 11-year survivor of Acute Lymphatic Leukemia (ALL), but he’s not letting anything stand in his way of becoming an acclaimed chef.
 
“I think of different plating options all the time,” laughs Xavier. “When I was diagnosed with ALL at age nine, I had no idea where my life would go or if I would even live to be 20 years old. Now I have a career plan and a goal of owning the best restaurant in Richmond someday.”
 
Xavier will graduate from the J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Culinary Arts program in May 2021 and says that wouldn’t have been possible without the Launch Project program, one of the survivorship programs ASK provides for young adults.
 
“ASK’s Launch Project coordinator, Michelle Johnson, contacted me and asked if I’d like to go to J. Sarg to get my degree through the PAVE Program for Adults in Vocational Education.  I had to think about it at first, but then I realized that I love to cook and the Culinary Arts program would be a perfect fit for me.”

“We realized that we had educational programming and services for pre-school through high school childhood cancer survivors, but there was a gap for high school students wishing to attend college or vocational schools, and for those who were beginning their job search.  The Launch Project started four years ago to address these needs,” explains Michelle.
 
Michelle connects students to colleges, universities and trade schools. She also provides referrals to other service agencies, as well as works with potential employers and college campuses to help childhood cancer survivors who may need special accommodations as a result of their cancer diagnosis. 

Michelle Johnson, ASK Launch Project Coordinator.

“We work as a team at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU's Survivorship Clinic, so there is a pediatric oncologist, psychologist, social worker, educational consultant, nurse practitioner and myself assigned to each survivor.  Together, we support the survivor in determining educational goals, career strategies, job searches, and intervention when needed to allow for special accommodations.  We’re seeing huge successes for our kids.”
 
ASK keeps in touch with all patients well past the end of their treatment specifically to provide not only medical follow-up but social, educational and career services into young adulthood. “We host young adult retreats and regular activities to foster comradery,” continues Michelle.  “It’s a great way for our young adult survivors to connect with people who truly understand their unique needs into adulthood.”

Last year, ASK began a partnership with 1st Choice, a college counseling service in Richmond, VA, to provide a three-day college boot camp for high school pediatric cancer juniors and seniors and their siblings.  Topics for the seminar included everything from how to navigate and write essays for the Common College Application, to completing the FASFA financial aid forms and searching for financial aid. 
 
“It was an amazing three days for the kids and their parents, and we plan to continue the partnership this year,” says Michelle.  “Rachel Loving, owner of 1st Choice, is amazing with the kids and very intuitive about their specific and unique needs.  It’s one of my favorite programs provided through the Launch Project.”

Rachel Loving with 1st Choice providing college counseling support to ASK's rising juniors and seniors, July 2019.

Xavier is just one of the many Launch Project success stories.  He’s currently going to school full-time and has an internship as a line chef at the Boathouse Restaurant in Rocket’s Landing.  ASK helped him purchase his chef uniform and knives to begin his internship, but Xavier has supplied the drive and determination necessary to succeed.

“I think about the people in the ASK Clinic every day, and every day I am grateful for the smiles, hugs and true care and concern I continue to receive from the ASK folks,” says Xavier.  “They have impacted my life in so many ways, and now it’s my turn to give back to all those kids who are just starting their ASK journey.”

These days, Xavier serves up good food, and these words of wisdom:  “I want them to know that they will feel like giving up, but they should never give up.  I felt like an outcast because none of my friends could understand what I was going through when I was on chemo, but you’re not an outcast.  Do what you want to do.  Be who you want to be.  I had to let that notion sink in, but then I realized that I can do whatever I set my mind to do.  So can you.”