Originally from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, ASK dad Andrew Frantz worked in as a seasonal ranger, and Rebecca as a pastor. Together, they enjoyed life raising their adorable 2-year-old son, Owen: a brave and talkative tot who befriends everyone he meets, with boundless energy and a love for life that fills every room he goes into. In 2021, life started to change when Owen developed an on-and-off fever over the course of several months. It wasn't until his teacher noticed Owen's discomfort at daycare that Andrew and Rebecca started to realized something was seriously wrong.
On March 3, 2022, Owen was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), turning the entire family’s world upside down. Owen started treatment in Pennsylvania immediately, but in the midst of the family’s move to Richmond, had to continue his next phase at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. That's where Katie Barber, our Child Life Specialist, welcomed them with open arms.
“From our first appointment, she was there telling us about ASK letting us know that she was there for whatever we might need,” says Rebecca. The Frantz’s didn’t waste any time finding their Richmond community, and just two days after meeting Katie, the family found themselves at their very first ASK event: the Night at the Diamond! “We hadn’t even been here a week, and we were already getting the benefits of ASK. When they got all the kids and families together to go out on the field they had some music playing, he just started dancing and playing around with some kids,” Andrew remembers. “When the stadium speakers started blasting Don’t Stop Believing as all these kids and their ASK shirts were coming out on the field… it was hard not to get choked up."
"The transitions and challenges we faced would have been unimaginable without ASK,” Andrew shares. “Their support is nothing short of remarkable… It really is almost kind of a full-scale support network."
This special experience was the first of many times they’d grow their bond with ASK. Since their move, they’ve gotten to meet and connect with other kids and families through ASK events and programs like the Day at the Zoo, First STEP Preschool, our annual Family Holiday Party and Self Care Day specifically for parents with a child in active treatment. Not to mention, Owen was a 2022 Kourageous Kid and the Frantz' were our very special featured family at this year’s ASK Gala. It was a busy year!
ASK has also been there for them behind the scenes, supporting them through gift cards and financial support, and emotionally through the free psychology services we provide our families as they endure the isolation and stressful emotions that come with having a child in treatment for cancer.
"The transitions and challenges we faced would have been unimaginable without ASK,” Andrew shares. “Their support is nothing short of remarkable… It really is almost kind of a full-scale support network." Through ASK, Owen and his family have found a new community and network of support – people who care for them, giving them the strength to fight on, one day at a time. “I think we are just really grateful that ASK has the support that it has so that it’s been able to be such a great support for us,” adds Rebecca.
“Even once Owen’s done with active treatment, he’ll still be part of a community that will actively engage him through when he graduates and beyond,” Andrew continues. Owen still has a ways to go until his end of treatment date in May 2024, but we’ll be there on his journey every step of the way, and forever after. Once an ASK kid, always an ASK kid!