The Educating Childhood Cancer Patients & Survivors Conference has been postponed until 2024. In the meantime, access the recording from last year's conference below and stay tuned until the next one!
​There are approximately 4,000 pediatric cancer patients and survivors in Virginia’s school system, and that number grows as survival rates increase.
​There are approximately 4,000 pediatric cancer patients and survivors in Virginia’s school system, and that number grows as survival rates increase.
Two-thirds of these children will experience late effects from treatment (physical, cognitive or both) that impact their long-term school success. In partnership with the Virginia Department ​of Health, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation invites you and your colleagues to join us for a virtual conference specifically created for teachers, nurses, counselors and administrators to learn how to best support these students’ unique needs in the classroom and beyond.

This conference offers a certificate of completion that confers 5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon completion of the course evaluation.* ​
* Awarding of CEUs is dependent on attendance at all six information sessions at the conference.
overview of childhood cancer
​In this session, you will learn how frequently childhood cancer occurs and how it differs from adult cancers. Learn the most common types of childhood cancer, treatment protocols, survival rates, and what survivorship looks like.
SESSION LENGTH: 45 MINUTES
late effects of treatment
​While survival rates have increased significantly for almost all types of childhood cancer, treatments often cause long-term side effects known as ‘late effects’ of treatment. These late effects can be cognitive, physical, or social-emotional, and all effect a survivor’s academic experience. Learn how educational plans like 504 and IEP can help support these students’ unique needs.
SESSION LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
Early Childhood Intervention & The Importance of Play
​Childhood cancer treatment of young children often disrupts opportunities for socialization and play for both the patient and siblings. The effects of this are seen in the early elementary classroom experience. Learn how to support these early learners, and the important role of play for these children inside and outside of the classroom.
SESSION LENGTH: 45 MINUTES
The silent struggle
​Hair grows back and port-a-catheters are removed, but often survivors continue to struggle with unseen cognitive and emotional effects of cancer treatment. Join us for a roundtable discussion between an educator, psychologist, and social worker to learn about the silent struggles of both childhood cancer survivors and their siblings.
SESSION LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
Young Adult survivor panel
​A diverse panel of childhood cancer survivors who are now young adults will share their experiences transitioning back to school after treatment, challenges they faced, and what helped them the most.  Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.
SESSION LENGTH: 45 MINUTES
active treatment case study
A strong school-based team plays a critical role in helping childhood cancer patients and survivors succeed socially and academically in the school setting. We will walk through a real-life case study and address the role of school nurse, social worker, counselor, and administrator. This is an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned throughout the day and share your ideas.
SESSION LENGTH: 60 MINUTES
Alma morgan, M.ed
Alma Morgan, M.Ed.
Education coordinator
ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
As an educational consultant with over 35 years in education, Alma loves working with children, teens and young adults. She believes that all children can be successful in the educational setting with the proper tools.

Alma graduated from Virginia Tech in December 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in English. After getting married she moved to Richmond and enrolled in graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed a Master of Education, specifically special education in 1983.

While her career began in a private school in 1980 as a special education teacher for children with severe learning disabilities and behavioral issues, the last 30 years have been devoted to children with chronic health needs at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. In between, she has worked in various educational settings with public school, correctional education, adult education and adjunct instructor at the University of Virginia. In 2005, Alma and a colleague opened a private office, Learning Specialists of Virginia, where they provide 1-to-1 tutoring, assessments, and educational consults.
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Since that time, Alma has completed 50 or more post-graduate hours in education. She holds a Virginia teaching certificate and is active in both attending and presenting at educational conferences.
Madhu gowda, md
Madhu Gowda, MD
Pediatric Hematology & oncology
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Dr. Madhu Gowda started at VCU in 2007 as a fellowship trainee in pediatric hematology-oncology and continued as faculty from 2010 working with cancer survivors and developing a childhood cancer survivorship clinic, a place for care beyond the cure. In addition to patient care, he is part of the committee developing guidelines for survivorship care at the Children’s Oncology Group.

​He has authored many peer reviewed publications and is currently working on promoting physical activity for cancer survivors through a COG study. He has been recognized by Richmond Magazine as a Top Doc and by Our Health magazine for Best bedside manners.
Michelle jarnagin johnson
Michelle Jarnagin Johnson
launch project coordinator
ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education with certification in Learning Disabilities from Winston-Salem State University in May of 1982.  She started her career as a diagnostician in the Mitchell County Public Schools system located in Camilla, Georgia that same year.  In September of 1983, Michelle moved with her husband to the Richmond-metro area and began working in the Chesterfield County Public Schools system as a teacher of the learning disabled. She received her Master of Science degree in Special Education from Virginia State University in May of 1995 and continued to work for CCPS as a diagnostician and special education coordinator/administrator of special education. 

​In August of 2006, Michelle started working as an Educational Consultant for the Hospital Education Program located within the VCU Health System.  She evaluated children and acted as a liaison between parents, schools, and the medical staff in the clinics of Child Neurology, Hematology, Care Connection for Children, Genetics, and Child Development. Since March of 2019, Michelle has worked as Launch Project Coordinator for the ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. In this capacity, she currently strives to aid young adults with navigating their educational, vocational, career, and wellness goals.
robyn dillon, lcsw
Robyn Dillon, LCSW
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Robyn received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology from Virginia Tech, pursued extended graduate studies in Sociology at San Diego State University, and received her Master of Social Work, Clinical Concentration, from Virginia Commonwealth University.She is certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker.
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Robyn currently works as a Clinical Social Worker in the Department of Care Coordination, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at VCU Medical Center, including at the survivorship clinic with Anne Mauck and Alma Morgan.

Robyn has won numerous awards and honors and has presented at previous ASK and VCU workshops.
Rich catlett, bcc
Rich Catlett, BCC
Chaplain
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
​Rich Catlett has been the chaplain with ASK Childhood Cancer since July of 2019. Before this he was the chaplain at Noah's Children which is a pediatric palliative care and hospice program for five years. Rich is a Board Certified Chaplain and an ordained minister. He has been married to his lovely wife Anne for 17 years and he has two daughters aged 8 and 13. 
COMING SOON!
9:00-9:15am
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Susan Lindsay, Program Director
ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
9:15-10:00am
Overview of Pediatric Cancer
Madhu Gowda, MD
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
about this presentation
​Think childhood cancer doesn’t happen in your community? Dr. Gowda will explain how frequently childhood cancer occurs, how physically taxing the treatment can be, and common physical limitations for childhood cancer survivors.
10:00-11:00am
Cognitive Late Effects & the Childhood
​Cancer Education Toolkit
Alma Morgan, M.Ed., Education Coordinator
ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
about this presentation
The childhood cancer patient and survivor is often not the same student they were before cancer. Alma Morgan will talk about the invisible cognitive late effects our childhood cancer survivors often face, how education plans like a 504 and IEP can help, and other accommodations that the childhood cancer survivor in your classroom may need. Alma will also explain how the Childhood Cancer Toolkit can be used to help any students in your school with chronic health conditions.
11:00-11:15am
Break
11:15am-12:00pm
Challenges of our Teens & Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Michelle Jarnagin Johnson, Launch Project Coordinator
ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation
about this presentation
Teens and young adult cancer survivors face a different set of challenges as they approach high school and graduation. Michelle will highlight the elements of an effective transition plan, identify statewide resources when students are setting educational and vocational goals, and discuss wellness trends for young adult cancer survivors.
12:00-1:00pm
Lunch
1:00-2:00pm
Childhood Cancer: The Emotional Impact 
​on Kids & Siblings
Robyn Dillon, LCSW
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
about this presentation
The emotional impact of childhood cancer is felt throughout the family. Robyn Dillon will discuss the emotional challenges and needs of the patients and their siblings, during and after the treatment journey. Robyn will identify how the school staff can identify and assist with these struggles.
2:00-3:00pm
Grief & Loss
Rich Catlett, BCC, Chaplain
Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
about this presentation
Children undergoing treatment for childhood cancer face loss, even when we’re optimistic about their chances for survival. Rich Catlett will walk you through identifying how grief might appear in your classroom and give you the tools to address it.
3:00-4:00pm
What We Want You to Know: Panel Presentation
Childhood Cancer Patients & Survivors
about this presentation
We have spent years hearing stories from children and their families about what their teachers and schools did right (and maybe not so right) when it came time to bring them back into the classroom, and we want to share their stories with you.
4:00-4:15pm
Conference Evaluations & Certificate Distribution
TESTIMONIALS
For questions about the conference, please contact Denice Grawe, ASK Program Manager at dgrawe@askccf.org or (804) 658-5910 ext. 104.
For questions about the conference, please contact Denice Grawe, ASK Program Manager at dgrawe@askccf.org or (804) 658-5910 ext. 104.